Business Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from reportable segments	$ 315,546	$ 263,589
Elimination of intersegment revenue	(5,386)	(6,858)
Revenue from external customers	310,160	256,731
Gross profit (loss)	24,936	29,988
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction	12,226	12,041
Assets	1,469,955	1,464,588	1,547,799
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Gross profit (loss)	24,936	29,988
Selling, general and administrative expenses	43,188	43,372
Gain on sales of property and equipment	1,917	2,704
Other income (expense), net	4,116	(1,799)
Loss before benefit from income taxes	(12,219)	(12,479)
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	642,930	673,205
Construction [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from reportable segments	117,946	92,692
Elimination of intersegment revenue	0	0
Revenue from external customers	117,946	92,692
Gross profit (loss)	8,580	5,553
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction	3,580	4,078
Assets	114,079	120,059
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Gross profit (loss)	8,580	5,553
Large Project Construction [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from reportable segments	163,928	137,820
Elimination of intersegment revenue	0	0
Revenue from external customers	163,928	137,820
Gross profit (loss)	22,249	31,298
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction	1,268	768
Assets	102,393	85,931
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Gross profit (loss)	22,249	31,298
Construction Materials [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from reportable segments	31,009	30,656
Elimination of intersegment revenue	(5,386)	(6,858)
Revenue from external customers	25,623	23,798
Gross profit (loss)	(5,950)	(7,270)
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction	7,378	7,107
Assets	368,095	378,601
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Gross profit (loss)	(5,950)	(7,270)
Real Estate Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from reportable segments	2,663	2,421
Elimination of intersegment revenue	0	0
Revenue from external customers	2,663	2,421
Gross profit (loss)	57	407
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction	0	88
Assets	58,363	88,614
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Gross profit (loss)	$ 57	$ 407

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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 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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