Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 1,183,284	$ 1,123,137	$ 1,120,085	$ 1,028,156	$ 1,193,068	$ 1,199,505	$ 1,247,274	$ 1,117,361	$ 4,454,662	$ 4,757,208	$ 4,973,076
Gross profit	157,621	111,124	118,640	67,068	130,596	118,251	102,838	102,720	454,453	454,405	457,190
Income from construction operations	90,680	47,306	54,815	(925)	59,343	49,072	34,045	37,017	191,876	179,477	201,920
Income before income taxes	75,152	32,804	39,867	(15,210)	45,193	34,396	52,516	21,870	132,613	153,975	149,115
Net income	55,391	25,436	27,896	(10,942)	82,847	25,300	32,633	13,764	97,781	154,544	95,822
Net income attributable to Tutor Perini Corporation	$ 49,405	$ 21,272	$ 24,883	$ (12,124)	$ 80,938	$ 23,584	$ 30,096	$ 13,764	$ 83,436	$ 148,382	$ 95,822
Earnings per common share:
Net income attributable to Tutor Perini Corporation per common share: Basic	$ 0.99	$ 0.43	$ 0.50	$ (0.24)	$ 1.63	$ 0.47	$ 0.61	$ 0.28	$ 1.67	$ 2.99	$ 1.95
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.98	$ 0.42	$ 0.49	$ (0.24)	$ 1.60	$ 0.47	$ 0.59	$ 0.27	$ 1.66	$ 2.92	$ 1.92