SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Authorities urged motorists to avoid Californias Highway 1 along the central coast after a section of the scenic route collapsed during an Easter weekend storm , forcing closures and stranding motorists near Big Sur, authorities said.

The collapse occurred amid heavy rain Saturday afternoon near Rocky Creek Bridge about 17 miles (27 kilometers) south of Monterey, sending chunks of asphalt tumbling into the ocean from the southbound side of the two-lane road.

The highway was closed in both directions in the mountainous area of Californias central coast as engineers assessed the damage, said the state Department of Transportation, or Caltrans.