During the 16th century, the intense traffic of mule trains, wagon caravans, and indigenous carriers traveling daily along the Royal Inland Road between the presidios of El Portezuelo and Ojuelos made it necessary to implement permanent infrastructure that would allow for vehicle passage throughout the year.

The La Quemada Bridge is located on the grounds of the former Hacienda San José de la Quemada, in the municipality of San Felipe, Guanajuato, on the way to Dolores Hidalgo. Both the origins of the hacienda and the bridge date back to the second half of the 16th century.

The San Miguel River, or La Laja, flowed nearly five kilometers from the Villa de San Miguel el Grande, now San Miguel de Allende. During the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries, crossing this tumultuous river had to be done using canoes or through the various bridges constructed in the jurisdiction during that time.

The evangelization of the Bajío undertaken by the Franciscans began in Jilotepec, with the support of the Otomi people. They founded numerous indigenous towns, which later became Spanish settlements. These places are now part of the Royal Inland Road as it passes through the present-day state of Guanajuato.

During the 18th century, there was a significant surge in the construction of bridges. These structures aimed to overcome the topographical obstacles and rivers located at key points along the Royal Inland Road.