Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 1,193,068	$ 1,199,505	$ 1,247,274	$ 1,117,361	$ 1,246,599	$ 1,332,978	$ 1,308,130	$ 1,085,369	$ 4,757,208	$ 4,973,076	$ 4,920,472
Gross profit	130,596	118,251	102,838	102,720	117,660	124,668	109,770	105,092	454,405	457,190	356,253
Income from construction operations	59,343	49,072	34,045	37,017	52,050	60,919	48,829	40,122	179,477	201,920	105,413
Income before income taxes	45,193	34,396	52,516	21,870	38,685	47,926	35,780	26,724	153,975	149,115	73,839
Net income	82,847	25,300	32,633	13,764	30,260	28,801	21,361	15,400	154,544	95,822	45,292
Net income attributable to Tutor Perini Corporation	$ 80,938	$ 23,584	$ 30,096	$ 13,764	$ 30,260	$ 28,801	$ 21,361	$ 15,400	$ 148,382	$ 95,822	$ 45,292
Earnings per common share:
Net income attributable to Tutor Perini Corporation per common share: Basic	$ 1.63	$ 0.47	$ 0.61	$ 0.28	$ 0.62	$ 0.59	$ 0.43	$ 0.31	$ 2.99	$ 1.95	$ 0.92
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.60	$ 0.47	$ 0.59	$ 0.27	$ 0.60	$ 0.57	$ 0.43	$ 0.31	$ 2.92	$ 1.92	$ 0.91