Alternative to deck footings??

[Brad H.]

I am planning on building a deck this summer and called diggers hotline to be safe. Wouldn't you know it, my main electrical line is coming into my house underground, exactly where i need to dig holes for three footings. The line is buried 3 ft underground, and i am not even remotely interested in digging anywhere near it. Has anyone used any other alternatives to deck footings? Footings that aren't buried as deep, or even sit on top of the ground? I am in WI, so frost heave is going to be an issue. The ground has not been recently disturbed, and is sugar sand once you get through the first 6" of topsoil. Any ideas would be great.

[Tim bly]

What if you dig down to the sand and put a cement pad a foot square and maybe a foot thick to put the deck post on the sand under it should keep water from freezing under it and pushing up on the post