Separate Financial Information of Subsidiary Guarantors of Indebtedness, Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
REVENUE	$ 1,085,369	$ 1,066,465
COST OF OPERATIONS	(980,277)	(975,706)
GROSS PROFIT	105,092	90,759
General and administrative expenses	(64,970)	(70,675)
INCOME FROM CONSTRUCTION OPERATIONS	40,122	20,084
Other (Expense) Income, net	682	(754)
Interest Expense	(14,080)	(11,125)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	26,724	8,205
Benefit (Provision) for Income Taxes	(11,324)	(3,079)
NET INCOME	15,400	5,126
Other Comprehensive Income:
Defined benefit pension plan adjustments	247
Foreign currency translation adjustment	930	(588)
Change in fair value of investments	8	(10)
Change in fair value of interest rate swap	(35)	45
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	1,150	(553)
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	16,550	4,573
Eliminations [Member]
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
REVENUE	(84,821)	(59,221)
COST OF OPERATIONS	84,821	59,221
Equity in Earnings of Subsidiaries	(23,079)	(11,940)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(23,079)	(11,940)
NET INCOME	(23,079)	(11,940)
Other Comprehensive Income:
Other Comprehensive Income of Subsidiaries	(938)	598
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(938)	598
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	(24,017)	(11,342)
Tutor Perini Corporation [Member]
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
REVENUE	176,725	236,292
COST OF OPERATIONS	(154,289)	(209,833)
GROSS PROFIT	22,436	26,459
General and administrative expenses	(21,658)	(25,035)
INCOME FROM CONSTRUCTION OPERATIONS	778	1,424
Equity in Earnings of Subsidiaries	23,079	11,940
Other (Expense) Income, net	(621)	(2,068)
Interest Expense	(13,484)	(10,264)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	9,752	1,032
Benefit (Provision) for Income Taxes	5,648	4,094
NET INCOME	15,400	5,126
Other Comprehensive Income:
Other Comprehensive Income of Subsidiaries	938	(598)
Defined benefit pension plan adjustments	247
Change in fair value of interest rate swap	(35)	45
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	1,150	(553)
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	16,550	4,573
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
REVENUE	986,361	885,103
COST OF OPERATIONS	(910,809)	(825,094)
GROSS PROFIT	75,552	60,009
General and administrative expenses	(42,837)	(45,166)
INCOME FROM CONSTRUCTION OPERATIONS	32,715	14,843
Other (Expense) Income, net	1,060	1,196
Interest Expense	(596)	(861)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	33,179	15,178
Benefit (Provision) for Income Taxes	(14,060)	(5,696)
NET INCOME	19,119	9,482
Other Comprehensive Income:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	930	(588)
Change in fair value of investments	8	(10)
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	938	(598)
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	20,057	8,884
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
REVENUE	7,104	4,291
GROSS PROFIT	7,104	4,291
General and administrative expenses	(475)	(474)
INCOME FROM CONSTRUCTION OPERATIONS	6,629	3,817
Other (Expense) Income, net	243	118
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	6,872	3,935
Benefit (Provision) for Income Taxes	(2,912)	(1,477)
NET INCOME	3,960	2,458
Other Comprehensive Income:
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	$ 3,960	$ 2,458