The federal government is committing $60,000 to help two universities investigate a mysterious humming vibration in Windsor, Ont.

The Windsor Hum has been the subject of much speculation for almost two years in the industrial city, which sits on the Detroit River across the U.S. border from the Motor City.

A seismographic study by Natural Resources Canada has identified Zug Island on the U.S. side of the river as the likely source of the noise pollution, but talks between Canadian and American authorities have failed to resolve the matter.

U.S. Steel re-opened a mill on Zug Island about the time the hum became bothersome to Windsor residents, but has not taken responsibility for the hum, which at times rattles homes.

Now the federal Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade is stepping up with funding for an acoustic study in an effort to further pinpoint the source of the sound vibration.

Researchers from the University of Western Ontario and the University of Windsor will team up for the study.