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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 | Mar. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
--- | --- | ---
Total combined: |  |
Current assets | $ 149,243 | $ 164,758
Less current liabilities | 78,124 | 77,274
Sterling’s receivables from and equity in net assets of construction joint ventures | 9,450 | 11,005
Corporate Joint Venture [Member] |  |
Total combined: |  |
Current assets | 75,414 | 92,102
Less current liabilities | (45,606) | (48,002)
Net assets | 29,808 | 44,100
Backlog | 190,627 | 213,924
Sterling’s noncontrolling interest in backlog | 68,873 | 77,222
Sterling’s receivables from and equity in net assets of construction joint ventures | $ 9,450 | $ 11,005

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- 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-Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 5 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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
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