Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Aug. 01, 2019
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Tutor Perini Corporation
Entity Central Index Key	0000077543
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2019
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Incorporation State Country Code	MASSACHUSETTS
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		50,278,816
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Security 12b Title	Common Stock, $1.00 par value
Trading Symbol	TPC
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Address, Address Line One	15901 OLDEN STREET
Entity Address, City or Town	SYLMAR
Entity Address, State or Province	CALIFORNIA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	91342-1093
Entity File Number	1-6314
Entity Tax Identification Number	041717070
City Area Code	818
Local Phone Number	362-8391