Equity and Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2010
Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stockholders' equity, beginning balance			$ 795,635		$ 882,556
Purchase of common stock			(3,662)	[1]	(3,434)	[2]
Other transactions with shareholders			4,644	[3]	6,918	[3]
Transactions with noncontrolling interests, net			(11,616)	[4]	(19,399)	[4]
Comprehensive (loss) income:
Net (loss) income	6,173	(2,633)	(1,083)		(40,363)
Total comprehensive income			(1,083)		(40,363)
Dividends on common stock			(10,050)		(10,087)
Stockholders' equity, ending balance	773,868	816,191	773,868		816,191
Shares Paid for Tax Withholding for Share Based Compensation			129,415		120,687
Granite Construction [Member]
Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stockholders' equity, beginning balance			761,031		830,651
Purchase of common stock			(3,662)	[1]	(3,434)	[2]
Other transactions with shareholders			4,644	[3]	6,918	[3]
Transactions with noncontrolling interests, net			0	[4]	0	[4]
Comprehensive (loss) income:
Net (loss) income			(4,061)		(47,645)
Total comprehensive income			(4,061)		(47,645)
Dividends on common stock			(10,050)		(10,087)
Stockholders' equity, ending balance	747,902	776,403	747,902		776,403
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stockholders' equity, beginning balance			34,604		51,905
Purchase of common stock			0	[1]	0	[2]
Other transactions with shareholders			0	[3]	0	[3]
Transactions with noncontrolling interests, net			(11,616)	[4]	(19,399)	[4]
Comprehensive (loss) income:
Net (loss) income			2,978		7,282
Total comprehensive income			2,978		7,282
Dividends on common stock			0		0
Stockholders' equity, ending balance	$ 25,966	$ 39,788	$ 25,966		$ 39,788

[1] Represents 129,415 shares purchased in connection with employee tax withholding for shares/units granted under our Amended and Restated 1999 Equity Incentive Plan.

[2] 2Represents 120,687 shares purchased in connection with employee tax withholding for shares granted under our Amended and Restated 1999 Equity Incentive Plan.

[3] 3Amount is comprised primarily of amortized restricted stock and units.

[4] Amount is comprised primarily of distributions to noncontrolling partners.