Business Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from reportable segments	$ 815,981	$ 776,300	$ 1,614,746	$ 1,506,252
Elimination of intersegment revenue	(87,403)	(105,450)	(144,763)	(160,515)
Revenue from external customers	728,578	670,850	1,469,983	1,345,737
Gross profit (loss)	93,893	76,155	168,837	131,567
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction	12,229	13,625	36,415	41,602
Assets	1,618,469	1,751,971	1,618,469	1,751,971	1,535,533
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Gross profit (loss)	93,893	76,155	168,837	131,567
Selling, general and administrative expenses	39,112	47,160	121,277	153,809
Gain on sales of property and equipment	5,598	3,165	11,572	11,417
Other expense, net	(2,894)	3,115	(5,866)	2,530
Income (loss) before provisin for (benefit from) income taxes	57,485	35,275	53,266	(8,295)
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	678,004	760,550	678,004	760,550
Construction [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from reportable segments	431,101	409,989	784,393	729,118
Elimination of intersegment revenue	0	0	0	0
Revenue from external customers	431,101	409,989	784,393	729,118
Gross profit (loss)	58,540	44,666	87,482	69,413
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction	3,437	3,432	11,362	14,058
Assets	114,359	127,445	114,359	127,445
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Gross profit (loss)	58,540	44,666	87,482	69,413
Large Project Construction [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from reportable segments	213,320	169,972	513,478	429,625
Elimination of intersegment revenue	0	0	0	0
Revenue from external customers	213,320	169,972	513,478	429,625
Gross profit (loss)	25,557	18,316	69,513	49,634
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction	1,259	678	3,316	2,147
Assets	108,272	88,752	108,272	88,752
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Gross profit (loss)	25,557	18,316	69,513	49,634
Construction Materials [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from reportable segments	170,574	193,578	309,846	335,896
Elimination of intersegment revenue	(87,403)	(105,450)	(144,763)	(160,515)
Revenue from external customers	83,171	88,128	165,083	175,381
Gross profit (loss)	9,554	12,137	10,754	9,492
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction	7,487	9,433	21,594	24,985
Assets	368,141	376,312	368,141	376,312
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Gross profit (loss)	9,554	12,137	10,754	9,492
Real Estate Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from reportable segments	986	2,761	7,029	11,613
Elimination of intersegment revenue	0	0	0	0
Revenue from external customers	986	2,761	7,029	11,613
Gross profit (loss)	242	1,036	1,088	3,028
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction	46	82	143	412
Assets	87,232	168,041	87,232	168,041
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Gross profit (loss)	$ 242	$ 1,036	$ 1,088	$ 3,028

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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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The gains (losses) included in results of operations resulting from the sale or disposal of property, plant and equipment, which do not qualify for treatment as discontinued operations. This item does not include any gain (loss) recognized on the sale of oil and gas property or timber property.

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