Business Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from reportable segments	$ 535,176	$ 501,713	$ 798,765	$ 729,952
Elimination of intersegment revenue	(50,502)	(47,509)	(57,360)	(55,065)
Total revenue	484,674	454,204	741,405	674,887
Gross profit (loss)	44,956	49,698	74,944	55,412
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction	12,144	13,243	24,186	27,976
Assets	1,551,947	1,655,177	1,551,947	1,655,177	1,535,533
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Gross profit (loss)	44,956	49,698	74,944	55,412
Selling, general and administrative expenses	38,793	51,357	82,165	106,649
Gain on sales of property and equipment	3,270	3,800	5,974	8,252
Other expense, net	(1,173)	(368)	(2,972)	(585)
Income (loss) before provisin for (benefit from) income taxes	8,260	1,773	(4,219)	(43,570)
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	687,771	763,109	687,771	763,109
Construction [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from reportable segments	260,600	237,943	353,292	319,129
Elimination of intersegment revenue	0	0	0	0
Total revenue	260,600	237,943	353,292	319,129
Gross profit (loss)	23,389	22,901	28,942	24,747
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction	3,847	5,110	7,925	10,626
Assets	113,922	138,207	113,922	138,207
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Gross profit (loss)	23,389	22,901	28,942	24,747
Large Project Construction [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from reportable segments	162,338	153,328	300,158	259,653
Elimination of intersegment revenue	0	0	0	0
Total revenue	162,338	153,328	300,158	259,653
Gross profit (loss)	12,658	21,835	43,956	31,318
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction	1,289	542	2,057	1,469
Assets	102,641	81,565	102,641	81,565
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Gross profit (loss)	12,658	21,835	43,956	31,318
Construction Materials [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from reportable segments	108,616	108,598	139,272	142,318
Elimination of intersegment revenue	(50,502)	(47,509)	(57,360)	(55,065)
Total revenue	58,114	61,089	81,912	87,253
Gross profit (loss)	8,470	4,480	1,200	(2,645)
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction	7,000	7,453	14,107	15,552
Assets	382,892	378,256	382,892	378,256
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Gross profit (loss)	8,470	4,480	1,200	(2,645)
Real Estate Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from reportable segments	3,622	1,844	6,043	8,852
Elimination of intersegment revenue	0	0	0	0
Total revenue	3,622	1,844	6,043	8,852
Gross profit (loss)	439	482	846	1,992
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction	8	138	97	329
Assets	88,316	165,081	88,316	165,081
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Gross profit (loss)	$ 439	$ 482	$ 846	$ 1,992

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Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

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Amount of revenue from transactions with other operating segments of the same entity.

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Amount of total revenue for the reportable segments, including revenue from external customers, transactions with other operating segments of the same entity, and (gross) interest revenue. All considered to be "operating revenue" for purposes of the taxonomy.

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