CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS [Abstract]
REVENUE	$ 1,247,274	$ 1,308,130	$ 2,364,635	$ 2,393,499
COST OF OPERATIONS	(1,144,436)	(1,198,360)	(2,159,078)	(2,178,637)
GROSS PROFIT	102,838	109,770	205,557	214,862
General and administrative expenses	(68,793)	(60,941)	(134,495)	(125,911)
INCOME FROM CONSTRUCTION OPERATIONS	34,045	48,829	71,062	88,951
Other income, net	40,990	2,485	41,406	3,166
Interest expense	(22,519)	(15,534)	(38,083)	(29,614)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	52,516	35,780	74,385	62,503
Provision for income taxes	(19,883)	(14,419)	(27,988)	(25,743)
NET INCOME	32,633	21,361	46,397	36,760
LESS: NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS	(2,537)		(2,537)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO TUTOR PERINI CORPORATION	$ 30,096	$ 21,361	$ 43,860	$ 36,760
BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (in dollars per share)	$ 0.61	$ 0.43	$ 0.89	$ 0.75
DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (in dollars per share)	$ 0.59	$ 0.43	$ 0.86	$ 0.74
WEIGHTED-AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:
BASIC (in shares)	49,735	49,131	49,510	49,105
DILUTED (in shares)	50,755	49,561	50,853	49,423