Business Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from reportable segments	$ 387,343	$ 315,546
Elimination of intersegment revenue	(8,639)	(5,386)
Revenue from external customers	378,704	310,160
Gross profit	30,058	24,936
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction	13,200	12,226
Assets	1,678,710	1,469,955	1,729,487
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Gross profit	30,058	24,936
Selling, general and administrative expenses	57,659	45,090
Gain on restructuring	(498)	(1,902)
Gain on sales of property and equipment	1,087	1,917
Other income (expense), net	(2,837)	4,116
Loss before benefit from income taxes	(28,853)	(12,219)
Reportable Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	798,766	642,930
Construction [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from reportable segments	177,119	117,946
Elimination of intersegment revenue	0	0
Revenue from external customers	177,119	117,946
Gross profit	13,201	8,580
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction	5,659	3,580
Assets	161,483	114,079
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Gross profit	13,201	8,580
Large Project Construction [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from reportable segments	171,714	163,928
Elimination of intersegment revenue	0	0
Revenue from external customers	171,714	163,928
Gross profit	22,721	22,249
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction	1,976	1,268
Assets	234,106	102,393
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Gross profit	22,721	22,249
Construction Materials [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from reportable segments	38,389	31,009
Elimination of intersegment revenue	(8,639)	(5,386)
Revenue from external customers	29,750	25,623
Gross profit	(5,974)	(5,950)
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction	5,565	7,378
Assets	352,874	368,095
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Gross profit	(5,974)	(5,950)
Real Estate Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from reportable segments	121	2,663
Elimination of intersegment revenue	0	0
Revenue from external customers	121	2,663
Gross profit	110	57
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction	0	0
Assets	50,303	58,363
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Gross profit	$ 110	$ 57

Total Other Income (Expense)

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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 charged against earnings in the period for incurred and estimated costs associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructurings pursuant to a duly authorized plan, excluding asset retirement obligations.

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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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