CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS [Abstract]
REVENUE	$ 1,199,505	$ 1,332,978	$ 3,564,140	$ 3,726,477
COST OF OPERATIONS	(1,081,254)	(1,208,310)	(3,240,332)	(3,386,947)
GROSS PROFIT	118,251	124,668	323,808	339,530
General and administrative expenses	(69,179)	(63,749)	(203,674)	(189,660)
INCOME FROM CONSTRUCTION OPERATIONS	49,072	60,919	120,134	149,870
Other income, net	967	2,048	42,373	5,214
Interest expense	(15,643)	(15,041)	(53,726)	(44,655)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	34,396	47,926	108,781	110,429
Provision for income taxes	(9,096)	(19,125)	(37,084)	(44,868)
NET INCOME	25,300	28,801	71,697	65,561
LESS: NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS	(1,716)		(4,253)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO TUTOR PERINI CORPORATION	$ 23,584	$ 28,801	$ 67,444	$ 65,561
BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (in dollars per share)	$ 0.47	$ 0.59	$ 1.36	$ 1.33
DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (in dollars per share)	$ 0.47	$ 0.57	$ 1.33	$ 1.32
WEIGHTED-AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:
BASIC (in shares)	49,775	49,185	49,602	49,132
DILUTED (in shares)	50,587	50,100	50,768	49,649