XML 30 R31.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.0.6

Note 3 - Construction Joint Ventures (Detail) - Summary of joint venture condensed balance sheet information included as part of consolidated financial statements: (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Total combined:
Current assets	$ 213,753	$ 164,023
Less current liabilities	(131,129)	(69,285)
Sterling’s receivables from and equity in construction joint ventures	10,767	6,057
Corporate Joint Venture [Member]
Total combined:
Current assets	120,130	108,458
Less current liabilities	(65,949)	(86,023)
Net assets	54,181	22,435
Backlog	314,736	539,844
Sterling’s noncontrolling interest in backlog	100,514	127,130
Sterling’s receivables from and equity in construction joint ventures	$ 10,767	$ 6,057

X

- Definition

Noncontrolling interest in backlog

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	strl_NoncontrollingInterestInBacklog
Namespace Prefix:	strl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

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.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	strl_ReceivablesFromAndEquityInConstructionJointVenture
Namespace Prefix:	strl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

Name:	strl_TotalCombinedAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	strl_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are expected to be realized in cash, sold, or consumed within one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer). Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 9

-Article 5



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.9)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6361293&loc=d3e6801-107765



Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6361293&loc=d3e6676-107765

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetsCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The net of assets and liabilities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 09

-Paragraph 19

-Article 6



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 946

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (SX 210.6-09.6,7)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6488393&loc=d3e606914-122999



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 946

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.6-05.4)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6488278&loc=d3e604008-122996



Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 05

-Paragraph 4

-Article 6

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetsNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

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.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 12

-Paragraph 5

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 360

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

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.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.21)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 21

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant