Business Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers	$ 379,847	$ 378,704
Gross profit	21,408	30,058
Assets	1,561,171	1,678,710	1,617,155
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Gross profit	21,408	30,058
Selling, general and administrative expenses	49,247	57,161
Gain on sales of property and equipment	894	1,087
Other income (expense), net	(2,380)	(2,837)
Loss before benefit from income taxes	(29,325)	(28,853)
Construction [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers	157,040	177,119
Large Project Construction [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers	187,336	171,714
Construction Materials [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers	35,449	29,750
Real Estate Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers	22	121
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from reportable segments	386,485	387,343
Elimination of intersegment revenue	(386,485)	(387,343)
Gross profit	21,408	30,058
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction	12,317	13,200
Assets	715,696	798,766
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Gross profit	21,408	30,058
Operating Segments [Member] \| Construction [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from reportable segments	157,040	177,119
Elimination of intersegment revenue	(157,040)	(177,119)
Gross profit	9,144	13,201
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction	4,015	5,659
Assets	147,232	161,483
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Gross profit	9,144	13,201
Operating Segments [Member] \| Large Project Construction [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from reportable segments	187,336	171,714
Elimination of intersegment revenue	(187,336)	(171,714)
Gross profit	15,793	22,721
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction	3,204	1,976
Assets	238,519	234,106
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Gross profit	15,793	22,721
Operating Segments [Member] \| Construction Materials [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from reportable segments	42,087	38,389
Elimination of intersegment revenue	(42,087)	(38,389)
Gross profit	(3,551)	(5,974)
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction	5,098	5,565
Assets	318,203	352,874
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Gross profit	(3,551)	(5,974)
Operating Segments [Member] \| Real Estate Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from reportable segments	22	121
Elimination of intersegment revenue	(22)	(121)
Gross profit	22	110
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction	0	0
Assets	11,742	50,303
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Gross profit	22	110
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from reportable segments	6,638	8,639
Elimination of intersegment revenue	(6,638)	(8,639)
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] \| Construction [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from reportable segments	0	0
Elimination of intersegment revenue	0	0
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] \| Large Project Construction [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from reportable segments	0	0
Elimination of intersegment revenue	0	0
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] \| Construction Materials [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from reportable segments	6,638	8,639
Elimination of intersegment revenue	(6,638)	(8,639)
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] \| Real Estate Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from reportable segments	0	0
Elimination of intersegment revenue	0	0
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(49,247)	(57,161)
Other income (expense), net	$ (2,380)	$ (2,837)

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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 gain (loss) on sale or disposal of property, plant and equipment assets, excluding oil and gas property and timber property.

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This element represents the income or loss from continuing operations attributable to the economic entity which may also be defined as revenue less expenses from ongoing operations, after income or loss from equity method investments, but before income taxes, extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest.

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Amount of revenue recognized from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an earning process. Includes, but is not limited to, investment and interest income before deduction of interest expense when recognized as a component of revenue, and sales and trading gain (loss).

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The aggregate total costs related to selling a firm's product and services, as well as all other general and administrative expenses. Direct selling expenses (for example, credit, warranty, and advertising) are expenses that can be directly linked to the sale of specific products. Indirect selling expenses are expenses that cannot be directly linked to the sale of specific products, for example telephone expenses, Internet, and postal charges. General and administrative expenses include salaries of non-sales personnel, rent, utilities, communication, etc.

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