Betty Adkins Bridge is a pair of concrete girder bridges spanning the Mississippi River

Mississippi River

The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...

 between Otsego, Minnesota

Otsego, Minnesota

As of the census of 2000, there were 6,389 people, 2,062 households, and 1,674 families residing in the city. The population density was 217.5 people per square mile . There were 2,120 housing units at an average density of 72.2 per square mile...

 and Elk River, Minnesota

Elk River, Minnesota

As of the census of 2000, there were 16,447 people, 5,664 households, and 4,400 families residing in the city. Recent estimates show the population at 21,329 as of 2005. The population density was 385.5 people per square mile . There were 5,782 housing units at an average density of 135.5 per...

. The northbound bridge was built in 2001, replacing a plate girder bridge

Plate girder bridge

A plate girder bridge is a bridge supported by two or more plate girders. The plate girders are typically I-beams made up from separate structural steel plates , which are welded or, in older bridges, bolted or riveted together to form the vertical web and horizontal flanges of the beam...

 that was originally built in 1967 as a two-lane bridge for Minnesota State Highway 101

Minnesota State Highway 101

Minnesota State Highway 101 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The present day route currently has two separate segments. The roadway was a continuous route until 1988.-Route description:...

 when the highway was rerouted around Elk River. The southbound bridge was built in 1993 when Highway 101 was expanded to four lanes.

The bridge is named for Betty Adkins, a DFL

Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party

The Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party is a major political party in the state of Minnesota and the state affiliate of the Democratic Party. It was created on April 15, 1944, with the merger of the Minnesota Democratic Party and the Farmer–Labor Party...

 state senator from St. Michael, Minnesota

St. Michael, Minnesota

As of the census of 2000, there were 9,099 people, 2,926 households, and 2,437 families residing in the city. The population density was 279.4 people per square mile . There were 3,058 housing units at an average density of 93.9 per square mile...

who served 12 years in the Minnesota Legislature. Despite battling cancer and losing her daughter and grandson in a car accident, she was known for her resilient character.