Wreckage Cleared After 35,000 Gallons of Oil Spilled Thursday near Culbertson

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Travel restrictions have been lifted for a northeastern Montana highway where an oil train derailed last week and leaked an estimated 35,000 gallons of oil.

The state Department of Transportation said Monday that U.S. Highway 2, the region's main artery, had returned to full operation after the wreckage site was cleared about five miles east of Culbertson.

The highway closed following Thursday's derailment and re-opened Friday with speed and lane restrictions.

Twenty-two cars of a BNSF train hauling fuel from North Dakota to Anacortes, Washington, derailed.

Nearby residents were temporarily evacuated, but no one was hurt and no fire or explosion occurred.

Oil leaked from four of the cars.

Federal Railroad Administration spokesman Matthew Lehner says the accident remains under investigation with agency officials still on the scene Monday.