Consolidated Statements Of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
CONTRACT REVENUES	$ 856,878	$ 806,831	$ 731,418
COSTS OF CONTRACT REVENUES	760,955	714,335	631,123
GROSS PROFIT	95,923	92,496	100,295
OPERATING EXPENSES:
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES	71,069	67,911	68,039
PROCEEDS FROM LOSS OF USE CLAIM			(13,372)
IMPAIRMENT OF GOODWILL	2,750
(GAIN) LOSS ON SALE OF ASSETS—Net	(855)	732	(5,773)
Total operating income	22,959	23,853	51,401
OTHER EXPENSE:
Interest expense—net	(24,365)	(19,967)	(21,941)
Equity in earnings (loss) of joint ventures	(6,051)	2,895	1,208
Gain on bargain purchase acquisition		2,197
Other income (expense)	(1,229)	210	(351)
Total other expense	(31,645)	(14,665)	(21,084)
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(8,686)	9,188	30,317
INCOME TAX (PROVISION) BENEFIT	2,497	11,530	(10,460)
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	(6,189)	20,718	19,857
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		(10,423)	(54,850)
NET INCOME (LOSS)	(6,189)	10,295	(34,993)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest			632
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS OF GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION	$ (6,189)	$ 10,295	$ (34,361)
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to income from continuing operations	$ (0.10)	$ 0.35	$ 0.33
Basic loss per share attributable to loss on discontinued operations, net of income taxes		(0.17)	(0.91)
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders of Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation	$ (0.10)	$ 0.18	$ (0.58)
Basic weighted average shares	60,410	59,938	59,495
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to income from continuing operations	$ (0.10)	$ 0.34	$ 0.33
Diluted loss per share attributable to loss on discontinued operations, net of income taxes		(0.17)	(0.90)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders of Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation	$ (0.10)	$ 0.17	$ (0.57)
Diluted weighted average shares	60,410	60,522	60,101