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Note 3 - Construction Joint Ventures (Detail) - Summary of joint venture condensed financial information included as part of consolidated financial statements: (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Total combined:
Current assets	$ 189,841	$ 164,023
Less current liabilities	120,873	69,285
Sterling’s receivables from and equity in construction joint ventures	6,889	6,057
Corporate Joint Venture [Member]
Total combined:
Current assets	6,364	108,458
Less current liabilities	(3,517)	(86,023)
Net assets	2,847	22,435
Backlog	435,385	539,844
Sterling’s noncontrolling interest in backlog	121,877	127,130
Sterling’s receivables from and equity in construction joint ventures	$ 6,889	$ 6,057

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Amounts due from minority-owned entities in which the reporting entity shares joint control with another party or group, due within 1 year (or 1 business cycle). Also, includes the entity's equity in minority-owned joint ventures.

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Gross amount, at the balance sheet date, of long-lived assets under construction that include construction costs to date on capital projects that have not been completed and assets being constructed that are not ready to be placed into service.

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Total obligations incurred as part of normal operations that are expected to be paid during the following twelve months or within one business cycle, if longer.

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