Avalanche of costs hits state for snow removal

Clearing the state's highways and mountain passes of an extraordinary amount of snow this winter put snow-removal costs $8.3 million over budget.

According to the state Department of Transportation (DOT), by the end of March, labor and materials were far over budget. The state planned to use 55,000 tons of de-icer but instead used 85,000 tons. At $150 a ton, that puts the cost $4.5 million over budget.

Labor costs were $3.8 million over what had been planned, including $2.2 million in regular time and $1.6 million in overtime.

Because of the unusual winter, the Legislature appropriated another $5.25 million over the $35 million budget. That leaves about a $3 million deficit that will be carried into next winter. State officials are hoping a lighter-than-normal winter will make up some of those costs.

If not, state officials said, they may go back to the Legislature for more money.

As for avalanche control, on Snoqualmie Pass as of April 3, the DOT had set off 199 detonations using 8,121 pounds of explosives and close to 99 rounds from the rifles that trigger avalanches. Stevens Pass had 180 detonations using 4,300 pounds of explosives.

As of April 6, according to the DOT, 526 inches of snow had fallen on Snoqualmie Pass, 153 percent of the five-year average. Over the past five years, the pass received an average annual snowfall of 342 inches.

And winter may not yet be over. Snow fell this morning down to an elevation of 400 feet on the hills east of Seattle. Monday night in the Cascades, 6 inches fell at Snoqualmie Pass and 3 inches at Stevens.

Susan Gilmore: 206-464-2054 or sgilmore@seattletimes.com