CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 256,990	$ 252,022
Short-term marketable securities	70,408	109,447
Receivables, net	251,838	243,986
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings	37,703	10,519
Inventories	50,975	51,018
Real estate held for development and sale	67,037	75,716
Deferred income taxes	38,571	53,877
Equity in construction joint ventures	101,029	74,716
Other current assets	35,171	42,555
Total current assets	909,722	913,856
Property and equipment, net	447,140	473,607
Long-term marketable securities	79,250	34,259
Investments in affiliates	31,071	31,410
Other noncurrent assets	80,616	82,401
Total assets	1,547,799	1,535,533
Current liabilities
Current maturities of long-term debt	9,102	8,359
Current maturities of non-recourse debt	23,071	29,760
Accounts payable	158,660	129,700
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings	90,845	120,185
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	166,790	150,773
Total current liabilities	448,468	438,777
Long-term debt	208,501	217,014
Long-term non-recourse debt	9,912	25,337
Other long-term liabilities	49,221	47,996
Deferred income taxes	4,034	10,774
Commitments and contingencies
Equity
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 3,000,000 shares, none outstanding	0	0
Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 150,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 38,682,771 shares as of December 31, 2011, 38,745,542 shares as of December 31, 2010	387	387
Additional paid-in capital	111,514	104,232
Retained earnings	687,296	656,412
Total Granite Construction Incorporated shareholders' equity	799,197	761,031
Noncontrolling interests	28,466	34,604
Total equity	827,663	795,635
Total liabilities and equity	$ 1,547,799	$ 1,535,533