CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Revenue
Construction	$ 1,043,614	$ 943,245	$ 1,151,743
Large project construction	725,043	584,406	603,517
Construction materials	220,583	222,058	205,945
Real estate	20,291	13,256	2,274
Total revenue	2,009,531	1,762,965	1,963,479
Cost of revenue
Construction	919,108	847,536	942,256
Large project construction	620,935	517,099	483,417
Construction materials	203,942	210,040	184,705
Real estate	17,583	10,506	3,592
Total cost of revenue	1,761,568	1,585,181	1,613,970
Gross profit	247,963	177,784	349,509
Selling expenses	42,408	53,276	58,681
General and administrative expenses	119,894	138,317	169,365
Restructuring charges	2,181	109,279	9,453
Gain on sales of property and equipment	15,789	13,748	17,169
Operating income (loss)	99,269	(109,340)	129,179
Other (expense) income
Interest income	2,878	4,980	5,049
Interest expense	(10,362)	(9,740)	(15,756)
Equity in income of affiliates	2,193	756	7,696
Other (expense) income, net	(4,545)	6,968	12,683
Total other (expense) income	(9,836)	2,964	9,672
Income (loss) before provision for (benefit from) income taxes	89,433	(106,376)	138,851
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	23,348	(43,928)	38,650
Net income (loss)	66,085	(62,448)	100,201
Amount attributable to noncontrolling interests	(14,924)	3,465	(26,701)
Net income (loss) attributable to Granite Construction Incorporated	$ 51,161	$ (58,983)	$ 73,500
Net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders (see Note 16)
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.32	$ (1.56)	$ 1.91
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.31	$ (1.56)	$ 1.90
Weighted average shares of common stock
Weighted average common stock outstanding, basic (in shares)	38,117	37,820	37,566
Weighted average common stock outstanding, diluted (in shares)	38,473	37,820	37,683
Dividends per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.52	$ 0.52	$ 0.52