UPDATE 2-Tutor Perini Q3 results lag estimates

* Q3 EPS $0.54 vs est $0.61 * Rev falls 17 pct

* Backs 2009 EPS view $2.60-$2.70

* Backs 2009 rev view $5 bln-$5.5 bln

* Says civil backlog rose 51 pct during Q3 (Adds conference call details, background)

Nov 5 (Reuters) - Construction company Tutor Perini Corp (TPC.N) posted quarterly results below estimates, hurt partly by reduced demand for new nonresidential building work as customers delayed plans for future projects.

With near-term expectations of growth from the commercial and residential sectors bleak, the company -- like other construction companies -- is turning to public construction to take advantage of the stimulus funds to be released next year. [ID:nBNG460384]

"We estimate the size of prospective opportunities from our civil infrastructure target markets -- roads, bridges and mass transit projects -- to be $2.4 billion for the remainder of 2009 and $18.7 billion for 2010," a company executive said on a conference call with analysts.

The recent winning bids, combined with a number of very attractive bidding prospects, indicate that about 40 percent of operating income in 2010 can come from the civil group, compared with 20 percent estimated for 2009, the company said.

For 2010, the company expects earnings of $2.40 to $2.60 a share on revenue of $3.7 billion to $4.2 billion.

Analysts were expecting earnings of $2.61 a share, before items, on revenue of 3.71 billion, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

For the third quarter, net income was $26.7 million, or 54 cents a share, compared with $34.1 million, or $1.01 a share, a year ago.

Revenue fell 17 percent to $1.17 billion.

Analysts on average were expecting earnings of 61 cents a share, before special items, on revenue of $1.29 billion according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

The decrease in backlog during the first nine months of 2009 reflects the completion of large gaming and hospitality work under contract and a reduced new nonresidential building work acquired, the company said.

Shares of the company were up 2 percent at $19 in trading after the bell. They closed at $18.69 Thursday on the New York Stock Exchange. (Reporting by Divya Sharma in Bangalore; Editing by Anil D'Silva; Unnikrishnan Nair)