CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Revenue
Construction	$ 431,101	$ 409,989	$ 784,393	$ 729,118
Large project construction	213,320	169,972	513,478	429,625
Construction materials	83,171	88,128	165,083	175,381
Real estate	986	2,761	7,029	11,613
Total revenue	728,578	670,850	1,469,983	1,345,737
Cost of revenue
Construction	372,561	365,323	696,911	659,705
Large project construction	187,763	151,656	443,965	379,991
Construction materials	73,617	75,991	154,329	165,889
Real estate	744	1,725	5,941	8,585
Total cost of revenue	634,685	594,695	1,301,146	1,214,170
Gross profit	93,893	76,155	168,837	131,567
Selling, general and administrative expenses	39,112	47,160	121,277	153,809
Gain on sales of property and equipment	5,598	3,165	11,572	11,417
Operating income (loss)	60,379	32,160	59,132	(10,825)
Other expense
Interest income	476	2,110	2,295	4,147
Interest expense	(3,418)	(547)	(7,653)	(7,294)
Equity in loss of affiliates	1,881	529	1,443	(177)
Other (expense) income, net	(1,833)	1,023	(1,951)	5,854
Total other expense	(2,894)	3,115	(5,866)	2,530
Income (loss) before provisin for (benefit from) income taxes	57,485	35,275	53,266	(8,295)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	15,109	(8,026)	11,973	(11,233)
Net income	42,376	43,301	41,293	2,938
Amount attributable to noncontrolling interests	(5,908)	(4,620)	(8,886)	(11,902)
Net income (loss) attributable to Granite Construction Incorporated	$ 36,468	$ 38,681	$ 32,407	$ (8,964)
Net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders (see Note 14)
Basic	$ 0.94	$ 1	$ 0.84	$ (0.24)
Diluted	$ 0.93	$ 0.99	$ 0.83	$ (0.24)
Weighted average shares of common stock
Basic	38,172	37,865	38,092	37,802
Diluted	38,598	38,071	38,428	37,802
Dividends per common share	$ 0.13	$ 0.13	$ 0.39	$ 0.39