Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 1,177,725	$ 1,189,345	$ 1,125,275	$ 958,487	$ 1,183,284	$ 1,123,137	$ 1,120,085	$ 1,028,156	$ 4,450,832	$ 4,454,662	$ 4,757,208
Gross profit (loss)	(62,704)	115,063	100,943	88,470	157,621	111,124	118,640	67,068	241,772	454,453	454,405
Income (loss) from construction operations	(94,146)	47,943	(341,717)	22,913	90,680	47,306	54,815	(925)	(365,007)	191,876	179,477
Income (loss) before income taxes	(106,717)	32,312	(358,339)	6,910	75,152	32,804	39,867	(15,210)	(425,834)	132,613	153,975
Net income (loss)	(76,229)	26,721	(315,439)	4,722	55,391	25,436	27,896	(10,942)	(360,225)	97,781	154,544
Net income (loss) attributable to Tutor Perini Corporation	$ (86,117)	$ 19,313	$ (320,530)	$ (356)	$ 49,405	$ 21,272	$ 24,883	$ (12,124)	$ (387,690)	$ 83,436	$ 148,382
Earnings per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (1.71)	$ 0.38	$ (6.38)	$ (0.01)	$ 0.99	$ 0.43	$ 0.50	$ (0.24)	$ (7.72)	$ 1.67	$ 2.99
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (1.71)	$ 0.38	$ (6.38)	$ (0.01)	$ 0.98	$ 0.42	$ 0.49	$ (0.24)	$ (7.72)	$ 1.66	$ 2.92