The U.S. Court of Appeals is demanding the U.S. Coast Guard provide reasoning behind its decision to delay a permit for the second span of the Ambassador Bridge.
In 2009, the coast guard said a second span would not adversely affect the environment, but decided against issuing a Navigation Permit for "regulatory reasons."
Officials with the bridge say the "delay game" has gone on along enough.
In an order filed Tuesday, a judge says unless a permit is issued, the the U.S. Coast Guard has until January 4 to provide a detailed response explaining the delay.
The court also requires the bridge to list, in detail, the property it has acquired to construct the new bridge.
The Ambassador Bridge has come under fire in recent weeks over how the crossing is being maintained.