Document and Entity Information Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] AccountsReceivableNetCurrent CashAndCashEquivalentsPolicyTextBlock Document Type Amendment Flag Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Trading Symbol Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] Assets Abstract ASSETS Assets, Current [Abstract] CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents Accounts receivable2 Total accounts receivable Accounts receivable-net Total accounts receivable Current portion of accounts receivable-net Costs In Excess Of Billings On Uncompleted Contracts Or Programs Expected To Be Collected Within One Year Current portion of contract revenues in excess of billings Contract revenues in excess of billings Total contract revenues in excess of billings Inventory Net Inventories Inventories Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Prepaid expenses and other current assets Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current, Total Due from Affiliate, Current Receivables from affiliates Assets, Current Total current assets PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT - Net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Beginning Balance PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT-Net Property and equipment - net Property and equipment - net Intangible Assets, Net (Including Goodwill) GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE Intangible Assets, Net (Including Goodwill), Total INVENTORIES - Noncurrent INVENTORIES-Noncurrent INVENTORIES - Noncurrent INVENTORIES - Noncurrent INVESTMENTS IN JOINT VENTURES INVESTMENTS IN JOINT VENTURES Investments in joint ventures Investment in joint ventures Other noncurrent assets OTHER Other Assets, Noncurrent, Total OTHER ASSETS Assets Total assets TOTAL Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Liabilities, Current [Abstract] CURRENT LIABILITIES: Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current, Total Accrued Liabilities Current Accrued expenses Total accrued expenses Accrued liabilities Billings in excess of contract revenues Total billings in excess of contract revenues Total billings in excess of contract revenues Total billings in excess of contract revenues Total billings in excess of contract revenues Long-term Debt, Current Maturities Current portion of long term debt Long-term Debt, Current Maturities, Total Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Due to Affiliate, Current Payables to affiliates Senior Notes 7 3/8% SENIOR NOTES Senior Notes, Total 7.375% senior notes Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY DEFERRED INCOME TAXES Net noncurrent deferred tax liabilites Deferred income taxes OTHER Other Other Liabilities, Noncurrent, Total Other liabilties Investments in subsidiaries. Investments in subsidiaries INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES Liabilities Total liabilities EQUITY: Common stock-$.0001 par value; 90,000,000 authorized, 58,671,956 and 58,542,038 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. Common Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Common stock-$.0001 par value; 90,000 authorized, 59,471 and 59,359 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital, Ending Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Beginning Balance Additional paid-in capital Accumulated deficit Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Ending Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Beginning Balance Retained earnings Accumulated deficit Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent BALANCE - Value BALANCE - Value Total Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation equity NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Beginning Balance NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Acquisition of Yankee Environmental Services Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest BALANCE - value BALANCE - value Total equity Liabilities and Equity TOTAL Common Stock, Par Value Common stock, par value Common Stock, Shares authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares issued Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued, Total Common Stock, Shares outstanding Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Ending Balance Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Beginning Balance Common stock, shares outstanding Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract] Contract revenues Revenues Contract revenues CONTRACT REVENUES Costs of contract revenues Costs of contract revenues Costs of contract revenues COSTS OF CONTRACT REVENUES Gross Profit GROSS PROFIT Operating Expenses [Abstract] OPERATING EXPENSES: General and administrative expenses General and administrative expenses General and administrative expenses General and administrative expenses GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES Gain (Loss) Related to Litigation Settlement Proceeds from loss of use claim Proceeds from loss of use claim Gain (Loss) Related to Litigation Settlement, Total Goodwill, Impairment Loss Goodwill, Impairment Loss Impairment of goodwill Estimated goodwill impairment Gain (Loss) on Sale of Other Assets Gain on sale of assets-net GAIN ON SALE OF ASSETS-Net Income (loss) from equity investments in subsidiaries. Income Loss From Equity Investments In Subsidiaries Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries Operating Income (Loss) Operating income (loss) Total operating income Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] OTHER EXPENSE: Interest expense - net Interest expense-net Interest Income (Expense), Net, Total Interest expense, net Equity in loss of joint ventures Equity in (earnings) loss of joint ventures Equity in earnings (loss) of joint ventures Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments, Total Equity in earnings (loss) of joint ventures Foreign Currency Transaction Loss, before Tax Loss on foreign currency transactions-net Gain on foreign currency transactions, net Loss on foreign currency transactions - net Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES Income tax provision Income tax (provision) benefit INCOME TAX PROVISION Income tax provision Net income Net income NET INCOME Net income Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders of Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS OF GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CORPORATION Net income attributable to common stockholders of Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation Basic earnings per share attributable to Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation Earnings per share - basic Basic earnings per share attributable to Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation Earnings per share - basic Basic weighted average shares Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic, Total Basic weighted average shares Diluted earnings per share attributable to Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation Earnings per share - diluted Diluted earnings per share attributable to Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation Earnings per share - diluted Diluted weighted average shares Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted Denominator for diluted earnings per share adjusted weighted average shares Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted Diluted weighted average shares Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Net of Tax Currency translation adjustment-net of tax Reclassification of derivative losses to earnings-net of tax Reclassification of derivative gains to earnings-net of tax Reclassification of derivative gains to earnings Reclassification of derivative gains (losses) to earnings-net of tax Reclassification of derivative gains to earnings Reclassification of derivative gains to earnings Change in fair value of derivatives-net of tax Net unrealized gain on derivatives-net of tax Net unrealized gain on derivatives-net of tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Other comprehensive loss-net of tax Other comprehensive loss-net of tax Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive income Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests Total comprehensive income (loss) Comprehensive income attributable to Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation Comprehensive income Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Tax Currency translation adjustment, tax Reclassification of derivative gains (losses) to earnings, tax Net unrealized gain on derivatives-net of tax Net unrealized gain on derivatives-net of tax Consolidated Statements Of Equity [Abstract] Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Parent [Member] Parent [Member] Common Stock [Member] Common Stock [Member] Additional Paid In Capital [Member] Additional Paid-In Capital [Member] Retained Earnings [Member] Retained Earnings [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)[Member] Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Noncontrolling Interests [Member] Shares, Issued BALANCE - shares BALANCE - shares Share-based compensation, Value Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures, Total Share-based compensation, Shares Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures, Total Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures, Total Vesting of restricted stock units, including impact of shares withheld for taxes, value Vesting of RSU's Vesting of restricted stock units, including impact of shares withheld for taxes Vesting of restricted stock units, including impact of shares withheld for taxes, shares Vesting of RSU's Exercise of stock options, Value Exercise of stock options, Shares Exercise of stock options, Shares Options exercised Adjustment to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Effect from Share-based Compensation, Net Excess income tax benefit from share based compensation Adjustment to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Effect from Share-based Compensation, Net, Total Dividends, Common Stock, Cash Dividends declared and paid Dividends declared and paid Dividends, Share-based Compensation Dividend equivalents paid on restricted stock units Dividend equivalents paid on restricted stock units Dividends, Share-based Compensation, Total Dividend equivalents paid on restricted stock units Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests. Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests Dividends declared per share Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows [Abstract] OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows used in operating activities: Depreciation and amortization Depreciation and amortization Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total Gain on dispositions of property and equipment GAIN ON SALE OF ASSETS- Net Gain on dispositions of property and equipment Gain on sale of assets, net Gain on dispositions of property and equipment Gain (loss) on adjustment of contingent earnout. Gain (Loss) On Adjustment Of Contingent Earnout Gain on adjustment of contingent earnout Amortization of deferred financing fees Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), Unrealized Unrealized foreign currency loss Unrealized foreign currency loss Share-based compensation expense Share-based compensation expense Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Operating Activities Excess income tax benefit from share based compensation Excess income tax benefit from share-based compensation Excess income tax benefit from share based compensation Changes in assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable 1 Accounts receivable Increase Decrease In Costs In Excess Of Billings On Uncompleted Contracts Or Programs Expected To Be Collected Within One Year Increase Decrease In Costs In Excess Of Billings On Uncompleted Contracts Or Programs Expected To Be Collected Within One Year Contract revenues in excess of billings Contract revenues in excess of billings Inventories Inventories Inventories Prepaid expenses and other current assets Prepaid expenses and other current assets Prepaid expenses and other current assets Accounts payable and accrued expenses Accounts payable and accrued expenses Increase Decrease In Billings In Excess Of Cost Increase Decrease In Billings In Excess Of Cost Billings in excess of contract revenues Increase (Decrease) in Other Noncurrent Assets and Liabilities, Net Other noncurrent assets and liabilities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net cash flows provided by (used in) by operating activities Net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Purchases of property and equipment Purchases of property and equipment Purchases of property and equipment Dispositions of property and equipment Proceeds from dispositions of property and equipment Dispositions of property and equipment Proceeds from vendor performance obligations Proceeds from vendor performance obligations Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net cash flows used in investing activities FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Payment of Financing and Stock Issuance Costs Deferred financing fees Deferred financing fees Payment of Financing and Stock Issuance Costs, Total Payments to Noncontrolling Interests Distributions paid to minority interests Repayments of Long-term Debt Repayment of long term note payable Repayment of long term note payable Repayments of Long-term Debt, Total Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Common Stock Dividends paid Dividends paid Payments for proceeds from accounts with affiliates. Payments For Proceeds From Accounts With Affiliates Net change in accounts with affiliates Payments Of Dividends Share Based Compensation Payments Of Dividends Share Based Compensation Dividend equivalents paid on restricted stock units Dividend equivalents paid on restricted stock units Payments Related to Tax Withholding for Share-based Compensation Taxes paid on settlement of vested share awards Taxes paid on settlement of vested share awards Repayment of capital lease debt Repayments of equipment debt Repayments of equipment debt Exercise of stock options Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities Excess income tax benefit from share-based compensation Borrowings under revolving loans Repayments of revolving loans Repayments of revolving loans Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents, Total Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Supplemental Cash Flow Information Cash paid for interest Interest Paid, Net, Total Cash paid (refunded) for income taxes Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities Property and equipment purchased but not yet paid Basis Of Presentation [Abstract] Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Basis Of Presentation Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Earnings per share [Text Block] Earnings Per Share Accounts Receivable And Contracts In Progress [Abstract] Loans, Notes, Trade and Other Receivables Disclosure [Text Block] Accounts Receivables And Contracts In Progress Impairment Of Goodwill [Abstract] Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Impairment Of Goodwill Fair Value Measurements [Abstract] Fair value measurements [Text Block] Fair Value Measurements Accrued Expenses [Abstract] Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block] Accrued Expenses Long-Term Debt [Abstract] Long-term Debt [Text Block] Long-Term Debt Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Additional General Disclosures [Abstract] Share-based compensation Share-Based Compensation Segment Information [Abstract] Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Segment Information Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract] Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure Text Block Commitments And Contingencies Subsidiary Guarantors [Abstract] Subsidiary Guarantors [Text Block] Subsidiary Guarantors Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block] Computations For Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Accounts Receivable Components Of Contracts In Progress [Table Text Block] Components Of Contracts In Progress [Table Text Block] Components Of Contracts In Progress Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block] Schedule of Goodwill Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block] Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Fair Value Measurements Balance Sheet Location Goodwill, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block] Fair Value Measurements, Goodwill, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block] Fair Value Measurements, Goodwill, Unobservable Input Reconciliation Changes In Components Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block] Changes In Components Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block] Changes In Components Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Adjustments Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income To Earnings [Table Text Block] Adjustments Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income To Earnings [Table Text Block] Adjustments Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income To Earnings Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block] Accrued Expenses Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block] Segment Reporting By Segment Schedule of Condensed Balance Sheet [Table Text Block] Condensed Consolidating of Balance Sheet Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Operations and Comprehensive Income Table (Text Block) Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Operations and Comprehensive Income Table (Text Block) Condensed Consolidating of Operations and Comprehensive Income Schedule of Condensed Cash Flow Statement [Table Text Block] Condensed Consolidating of Cash Flows Nature Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Table] Nature Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Table] Range [Axis] Range [Member] Range [Domain] Maximum [Member] Maximum [Member] Minimum [Member] Minimum [Member] Nature Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] Nature Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] Equipment-Related Costs, Percentage Of Costs Of Contract Revenue Equipment-Related Costs, Percentage Of Costs Of Contract Revenue Average equipment-related costs of total costs of contract revenue Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Shares excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share Legal Entity [Axis] Entity [Domain] Entity [Domain] Parent Company [Member] Parent Company [Member] Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment Effect of stock options and restricted stock units Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment, Total Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table] Contract Receivable Type [Axis] Contract Receivable Type [Axis] Contract Receivable Type [Domain] Contract Receivable Type [Domain] Contract Receivable Type [Domain] Completed Contracts [Member] Completed Contracts [Member] Completed Contracts [Member] Contracts In Progress [Member] Contracts In Progress [Member] Contracts In Progress [Member] Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] Accounts Receivable [Line Items] Contract Receivable Contracts Contract Receivable, Total Contract Receivable Retainage Retainage Contract Receivable Retainage, Total Accounts Receivable, Gross Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable Allowance for doubtful accounts Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Ending Balance Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Beginning Balance Allowance for doubtful accounts Accounts Receivable, Net Total accounts receivable-net Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent And Contract Receivable Retainage Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent And Contract Receivable Retainage Long-term accounts receivable and retainage Costs And Earnings In Excess Of Billings [Member] Costs And Earnings In Excess Of Billings [Member] Costs And Earnings In Excess Of Billings [Member] Billings In Excess Of Costs And Earnings [Member] Billings In Excess Of Costs And Earnings [Member] Billings In Excess Of Costs And Earnings [Member] Costs and earnings for contracts in progress. Costs And Earnings For Contracts In Progress Costs and earnings for contracts in progress Billings for contracts in progress. Billings For Contracts In Progress Amounts billed Costs and earnings in excess of billings for contracts in progress. Costs And Earnings In Excess Of Billings For Contracts In Progress Costs and earnings in excess of billings on contracts in progress Costs and earnings in excess of billings for completed contracts. Costs and Earnings In Excess Of Billings For Completed Contracts Costs and earnings in excess of billings for completed contracts Costs in Excess of Billings on Uncompleted Contracts or Programs Costs and earnings in excess of billings on contracts in progress Total contract revenues in excess of billings Schedule of Goodwill [Table] Business Segments [Axis] Segment [Domain] Segment [Domain] Dredging Segment [Member] Dredging Segment [Member] Dredging Segment [Member] Demolition Segment [Member] Demolition Segment [Member] Demolition Segment [Member] Goodwill [Line Items] GOODWILL Goodwill, Ending Balance Goodwill, Beginning Balance Goodwill Balance - June 30, 2013 Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Longterm Debt Type [Domain] Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Senior Notes [Member] Senior Notes [Member] Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Fair Value, Measurements, Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Fair Value Inputs Level1 [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Derivative underlying hedge percent. Derivative Underlying Hedge Percent Derivative underlying hedge percent Derivative, nonmonetary notional amount Derivative, Swap Type, Fixed Price Fixed price range Fair value hedge liabilities Fuel hedge liability Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Percentage Rate Senior notes interest rate Eligible Item or Group for Fair Value Option [Axis] Fair Value Option Eligible Item Or Group [Domain] Fair Value, Option, Eligible Item or Group [Domain] Fuel Hedge Contracts [Member] Fuel Hedge Contracts [Member] Fuel Hedge Contracts [Member] Fair Value Inputs Level2 [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Assets, Fair Value Disclosure Assets, fair value disclosure Assets, fair value disclosure, total Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure Liabilities, fair value disclosure Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure, Total Hedging Relationship [Axis] Hedging Relationship [Domain] Hedging Relationship [Domain] Hedging Designation [Axis] Hedging Designation [Domain] Hedging Designation [Domain] Designated As Hedging Instrument [Member] Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] Accrued Liabilities [Member] Accrued Liabilities [Member] Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Liability Derivative asset, fair value, gross liability Fair Value Inputs Level3 [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Goodwill, Fair Value Disclosure Balance at June 30, Balance at January 1, Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Cumulative translation adjustments-net of tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Total Amount after tax of reclassification adjustment from accumulated other comprehensive income of accumulated gain (loss) realized from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges and an entity's share of an equity investee's deferred hedging gain (loss). Other comprehensive income loss reclassification adjustment from AOCI on derivatives net of tax Reclassification of derivative losses (gains) to earnings-net of tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax Change in fair value of derivatives-net of tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax, Total Disclosure of information about derivatives and hedging activities. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Table] Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items] Construction Payable, Current Construction liabilities Accrued Insurance, Current Insurance Interest Payable, Current Interest Employee-related Liabilities, Current Payroll and employee benefits Employee-related Liabilities, Current, Total Percentage of completion adjustment Percentage of completion adjustment Taxes Payable, Current Income and other taxes Taxes Payable, Current, Total Other Accrued Liabilities, Current Other Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Interest Rate, Types [Axis] Interest Rate, Types [Axis] Interest Rate, Types [Domain] Interest Rate Types [Domain] Interest Rate, Types [Domain] LIBOR Rate [Member] Libor Rate [Member] LIBOR Rate [Member] Base Rate [Member] Base Rate [Member] Base Rate [Member] Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Domain] Credit Facility [Domain] Standby Letters Of Credit [Member] Standby Letters of Credit [Member] Revolving Credit Facility [Member] Revolving Credit Facility [Member] Multicurrency [Member] Multicurrency [Member] Multicurrency [Member] Swingline Loans [Member] Swingline Loans [Member] Swingline Loans [Member] Foreign Line Of Credit [Member] Foreign Line of Credit [Member] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity Letters of credit , maximum borrowing capacity Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity Line of credit facility optional increase capacity Line of credit facility optional increase capacity Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis Revolving credit facility, interest rate description Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate Revolving credit facility, basis spread on variable rate Net Leverage Ratio Net Leverage Ratio Net leverage ratio Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Fixed charge coverage ratio Total leverage ratio Total leverage ratio Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount Letters of credit outstanding Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity Letter of credit remaining borrowing capacity Debt Instrument, Face Amount Debt instrument, face amount Percentage of debt instrument issued at face value Percentage of debt instrument issued at face value Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant Options to purchase of common stock and restricted stock units, granted Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, number of shares available for grant Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense Allocated share-based compensation expense Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense, Total Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, options, grants in period, gross Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period Weighted-average grant-date fair value as of December 31, 2012 Weighted-average grant-date fair value as of January 1, 2012 Options granted Foreign [Member] Foreign [Member] Foreign [Member] Dredging [Member] Dredging [Member] Dredging [Member] Demolition [Member] Demolition [Member] Demolition [Member] Deferred revenue, Reversal of revenue recognized Deferred revenue, Reversal of revenue recognized Deferred revenue, Reversal of revenue recognized Bids bond range Bids bond range Outstanding performance bonds Outstanding performance bonds Revenue value remaining from outstanding performance bonds Revenue value remaining from outstanding performance bonds Proceeds from Lines of Credit Proceeds from Lines of Credit, Total Schedule of Condensed Financial Statements [Table] Subsidiaries [Member] Subsidiaries [Member] Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] Subsidiary Guarantors [Member] Non Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] Consolidation Eliminations [Member] Eliminations [Member] Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent, Total Total other comprehensive income Award Type [Axis] Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award Award Type And Plan Name [Domain] Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Award Type and Plan Name [Domain] Restricted Stock [Member] Restricted Stock [Member] Stock Options [Member] Stock Options [Member] Short-term Debt, Type [Axis] Short Term Debt Type [Domain] Short-term Debt, Type [Domain] Letter Of Credit [Member] Letter of Credit [Member]