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Highway 35 Partially Reopened After Semi Tips Over Along East Shore

Crews contain acid that spilled after semi-truck trailer tipped over on uphill side of highway

By Dillon Tabish

Update: 3:15 p.m.

One lane of Montana Highway 35 near Yellow Bay was reopened after crews closed the road for nearly two hours to remove a semi-trailer truck that tipped over early Thursday.

Flaggers are alternating traffic through the site one direction at a time, according to state transportation officials.

The accident occurred roughly 5 miles south of Yellow Bay along the east shore of Flathead Lake.

The truck was carrying a 225-gallon tote of battery acid and an estimated one-third of the acid escaped when the vehicle tipped over, according to transportation officials.

The vehicle tipped over on the uphill side of the highway away from the lake, and crews contained a minor spill and are inactivating the acid, said Dave Rauser, an administrator with the state’s Department of Transportation.

“We built berms all the way around it and it’s contained,” Rauser said. “It’s a small amount, in reality.”

State and tribal authorities responded to the incident, as well as emergency services crews from Polson and Kalispell.

Update: 1:30 p.m.

Crews have closed a section of Montana Highway 35 approximately 5 miles south of Yellow Bay to allow a tow truck to remove a semi-trailer truck that rolled onto its side Thursday morning.

The closure could take up to an hour, according to state transportation officials.

Earlier in the day, crews were alternating traffic through the scene in the southbound lane along Flathead Lake.

Officials are encouraging drivers to use extreme caution in the vicinity for workers and equipment on or near the roadway.