University Place Utility Access Clearing
We clear snow from utility panels, meters, shutoffs, and vaults so crews can reach critical systems in any Western Washington storm.
Utility access clearing keeps meters, hydrants, transformer pads, cleanouts and service gates reachable when snow or ice covers them. Washington Snow Removal handles this work in University Place, Pierce County. We are licensed, bonded and insured.
University Place gets little snow, an average of 5.4 in per season. But 58% of winters bring at least one day with 1 inch or more. When that day comes, crews and residents need clear access. Call 206-809-9669 to set up a dispatch.
Why University Place walkways freeze
Average snowfall by month in University Place
Freezing rain and sleet reports near University Place
- Jan 17, 2024: Freezing Rain reported at 2 ENE Fox Island
- Dec 23, 2022: Freezing Rain reported at Lakewood and 1 N University Place
- Jan 19, 2012: Freezing Rain reported at 3 NW Lake City and 5 N Fort Lewis
Sources: NOAA and National Weather Service records for University Place, 2005–2026.
Utility Access Clearing in University Place: What to Expect
Most of the work is hand work. A crew member digs out the area around a meter, hydrant, vault lid or pad-mounted equipment and clears a path to it. Where a gate or driveway apron blocks the way, we can bring a compact track loader with operator.
The local pattern shapes the job. University Place averages just 1.5 days a year with 1 inch or more of snow, so the work comes in short bursts. There are also about 2.84 light-snow days a year that need deicing, and 36 freezing nights between October and April. Thin ice on access paths and covers is often a bigger problem than depth. Freezing rain has been reported nearby, including Jan 17, 2024 at Fox Island and Jan 19, 2012 near Fort Lewis.
- Crew member, $110 per person-hour
- Compact track loader with operator (Kubota SCL1000), $175 per hour
- Bagged ice melt, $45 per 50 lb bag
- Trip charge for University Place (zone C), $350 per dispatch
Each dispatch has a 2-hour minimum. Our yard in Bothell is 82 minutes away, so grouping several access points into one visit makes the best use of the trip charge.
Prices in University Place
Billed by the hour for the crew and equipment on site, plus materials.
| Crew member (shoveling, sidewalks, hand work) | $110 / person-hour |
| Compact track loader with operator (Kubota SCL1000) | $175 / hour |
| Ice melt, bagged | $45 / 50 lb bag |
| Trip charge for University Place (zone C) | $350 / dispatch |
- 2-hour minimum per dispatch.
- University Place is 82 minutes from our Bothell yard.
Prices approved Oct 2026.
Service Area
University Place
Benefits
Keeps emergency shutoffs reachable in a crisis; Exposes meters for accurate winter reads; Prevents frozen lids from trapping utility vaults; Maintains code-required clearance at electrical panels; Speeds response for utility and repair crews
