Berkeley Campus Renovation

Summer 2026

More than just a face-lift

Berkeley Campus Renovation On-Track for Fall 2026 Open

When students return to Trident Technical College’s Berkeley Campus this fall they’ll find a fully renovated building with bright hallways, refurbished classrooms and state-of-the-art lab spaces.

Construction crews recently completed work on and reopened the first section of campus, the 140 Hallway, which includes classrooms, offices, bathrooms and some spaces for technical and mechanical systems. Soon they also will be finishing work on the campus’ administrative and student services offices, several other classroom and lab spaces, and common areas.

The overgrown courtyards have been cleared out and lined with pavers and gravel to create useable outdoor spaces for students and staff.

 

The bathrooms are getting much needed updates with new fixtures and tiles.

Earlier this spring a new entrance for the campus was opened for students and staff to use during the renovation, but eventually it will be used primarily by the 18-wheelers in TTC’s Commercial Truck Driving (CDL) training program when it returns to Berkeley Campus in the fall.

Additionally, the new concrete CDL skills pad has been poured behind the building near the Diesel Mechanic Program’s new high bay garage area.

 

Meanwhile the TTC Cosmetology and Veterinary Technology programs have continued to operate at Berkeley Campus.

“Doing all of this and trying to keep the college open at the same time has been a challenge,” Vice President for Operations Gene Creson said.

 

Crews from the renovation project contractor Thompson Turner Construction will be finishing up most of the rest of the work into the summer with the goal of moving in furniture during July and welcoming back faculty and staff in August ahead of students.

One section of the campus will remain under construction during the upcoming fall semester. The new flex classroom space replacing the former library area at the northeast corner of the building is scheduled to open in Spring 2027.

Spring 2026 - Students and faculty have a new entrance to Berkeley Campus on South Live Oak Drive.

The original campus entrance, also on South Live Oak Drive will now be restricted to construction traffic only.

Fall 2024 - Site work at Berkeley Campus is planned to begin December 2024 over the holiday break. Thompson Turner will install fencing around the site and construct temporary walls and construction barriers around campus. Campus access will be restricted to the hallway serving Cosmetology students and the separate Vet Tech building on campus.

Berkeley Middle College, Upward Bound Math and Science (UBMS) and the Talent Search programs are relocating to Thornley Campus at 7000 Rivers Ave., North Charleston. Berkeley Campus Student Success Center staff and the campus enrollment specialist will relocate to Dorchester Campus at 10055A Dorchester Road, Summerville.

The Commercial Truck Driving (CDL) program will also temporarily move to Thornley Campus.

The $37 million renovation and construction project at Trident Technical College’s Berkeley Campus is progressing toward an early 2025 groundbreaking. Renovations to the existing 74,000-square-foot facility, with 11,500-square-feet of new construction, will transform the 40-plus year old campus into a state-of-the-art training center.

With the deepest port on the South Atlantic coast, the Charleston area offers major opportunities in the transportation and logistics sector. Trident Tech students seeking careers as truck drivers, diesel mechanics, and logistics professionals will be uniquely qualified to thrive in the jobs of the future.

Liollio Architecture designed the building, and Thompson Turner Construction will carry out the construction work, tentatively scheduled for January 2025-August 2026. During renovation, the CDL program will be temporarily located on Thornley Campus, and the Veterinary Technology and Cosmetology programs will remain on campus. Other classes normally held on the Berkeley Campus are available at other TTC campuses, and many are also offered online. The Truist Transportation and Logistics Center will be part of the renovated facility.

The project will increase student capacity from 1,000 to 3,000.

Project Highlights

• High-bay vocational training classrooms
• STEM-related classrooms and labs
• Flexible classroom/lab space
• Updated student commons area
• Expanded restroom facilities
• Training space for Continuing Education/non-credit courses
• New roof
• Upgraded mechanical, electric and plumbing systems

Educational Programs to be Offered

• Commercial Drivers License (CDL)
• Diesel Mechanics
• Logistics
• Cosmetology
• Veterinary Technology
• General Education courses
• Continuing Education/non-credit courses