Purdue to shut down construction inspection office

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University plans to eliminate 22 jobs by shutting down its in-house construction inspection department.

University officials estimate Purdue will save $75 million over five years by also making changes to its construction contract specifications.

Purdue vice president Bob McMains tells the Journal & Courier that eliminating the inspection department won’t hurt the quality of projects on the West Lafayette campus. He says construction inspection will become the responsibility of project architects and engineers as is standard industry practice.

McMains plans meet with contractors in January to go over the changes. The campus inspection department will be shut down in March.

McMains says some workers might transfer to other Purdue departments.