<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2007-05-18</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000906469</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>WASHINGTON GROUP INTERNATIONAL INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>WGII</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001142382</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ALM JOHN R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>#1 HYATT LANE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HYATTEVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>WY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>82428</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Deferred Stock</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-05-18</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1069</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2741</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These are deferred shares awarded under the Company's 2004 Equity Incentive Plan and are forfeitable until such time as they vest.  They will vest in four equal installments on the last date of each of the four calendar quarters immediately following the transaction date shown on page 1 of this Form 4.  The vested shares will be delivered to the director within 60 days of termination of service on the Company's Board of Directors, provided such delivery is in compliance with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: Craig G. Taylor  For: John R. Alm</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-05-21</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
