Trucks From New Berlin Nominated For 'Coolest Thing Made In WI'

NEW BERLIN, WI —Over 150 things were nominated to the first round of voting for The Coolest Thing Made In Wisconsin contest. New Berlin's contribution: Tunnel washing trucks.

Wausau Equipment has a location in New Berlin that helps manufacture these specialty machines. The trucks are employed by cities to clean the sides of tunnels. Wausau Equipment Company's unique approach to making these types of trucks is what has earned it a nomination to "Wisconsin's Coolest Things" contest.

The product will compete against fried chicken, outboard motors, donuts and more to be named one of Wisconsin's coolest things, according to a news release.

The trucks drive down New York's Holland and Lincoln tunnels, according to the company's website. They clean handrails, signs, walls and ceilings, its nomination said. See the trucks in action below.

"By nature of the task, tunnel washing machines require flexibility in their design for customization since every tunnel environment poses different challenges due to curvatures and heights," its nomination said. "These tunnel washing machines take this fact into account by offering a modular design that allows for optimum configuration for specific requirements on a proven base unit."

People can vote for the trucks to get past the first round at www.madeinwis.com. It will compete against 150 other products made in Wisconsin for a shot at being one of the "Coolest Things Made In Wisconsin."

Votes can be cast once per day. First-round voting ends Sept. 21.

The contest has been going on each year since 2016. It's organized by Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce and Johnson Financial Group, according to a news release from organizers.

Click here to vote for the Wausau Tunnel Washers on the contest website. The final winner will be announced Oct. 14 after three more voting rounds.