Construction and Line Item Joint Ventures - Consolidated Construction Joint Ventures (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 256,990,000		$ 252,022,000		$ 338,956,000	$ 460,843,000
Other current assets	35,171,000		42,555,000
Total current assets	909,722,000		913,856,000
Total assets	1,547,799,000		1,535,533,000		1,709,575,000
Accounts payable	158,660,000		129,700,000
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings	90,845,000		120,185,000
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	166,790,000		150,773,000
Total current liabilities	448,468,000		438,777,000
Partnership Interest [Member] | Unconsolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Total Construction Contract Value	1,700,000,000
Joint Venture Consolidated [Member] | Consolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	75,122,000	[1]	109,380,000	[1]
Other current assets	33,750,000	[2]	50,344,000	[2]
Total current assets	108,872,000		159,724,000
Noncurrent assets	8,671,000		2,561,000
Total assets	117,543,000	[3]	162,285,000	[3]
Accounts payable	38,193,000		33,078,000
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings	22,251,000	[1]	46,475,000	[1]
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	5,129,000		11,633,000
Total current liabilities	65,573,000		91,186,000
Noncurrent liabilities	4,000		3,000
Total liabilities	65,577,000	[3]	91,189,000	[3]
Number of active construction joint venture projects	2
Joint Venture Unconsolidated [Member] | Unconsolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Number of active construction joint venture projects	8
Joint Venture Unconsolidated [Member] | Line Item Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Number of active construction joint venture projects	3
Reporting Entitys Interest in Joint Venture [Member] | Unconsolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Total Construction Contract Value	725,300,000
Other Partners Interest in Partnerships [Member] | Unconsolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Total Construction Contract Value	927,200,000
Minimum [Member] | Joint Venture Consolidated [Member] | Consolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Total Construction Contract Value	233,100,000
Minimum [Member] | Joint Venture Unconsolidated [Member] | Unconsolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Total Construction Contract Value	57,700,000
Minimum [Member] | Joint Venture Unconsolidated [Member] | Line Item Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Total Construction Contract Value	54,100,000
Minimum [Member] | Reporting Entitys Interest in Joint Venture [Member] | Consolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Proportionate Share of the Consolidated and Unconsolidated Joint Ventures Equity Owned by or Beneficial Interest in the Reporting Entity Directly or Indirectly	45.00%
Minimum [Member] | Reporting Entitys Interest in Joint Venture [Member] | Unconsolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Proportionate Share of the Consolidated and Unconsolidated Joint Ventures Equity Owned by or Beneficial Interest in the Reporting Entity Directly or Indirectly	20.00%
Minimum [Member] | Reporting Entitys Interest in Joint Venture [Member] | Line Item Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Total Construction Contract Value	21,200,000
Maximum [Member] | Joint Venture Consolidated [Member] | Consolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Total Construction Contract Value	315,600,000
Maximum [Member] | Joint Venture Unconsolidated [Member] | Unconsolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Total Construction Contract Value	1,200,000,000
Maximum [Member] | Joint Venture Unconsolidated [Member] | Line Item Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Total Construction Contract Value	129,300,000
Maximum [Member] | Reporting Entitys Interest in Joint Venture [Member] | Consolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Proportionate Share of the Consolidated and Unconsolidated Joint Ventures Equity Owned by or Beneficial Interest in the Reporting Entity Directly or Indirectly	60.00%
Maximum [Member] | Reporting Entitys Interest in Joint Venture [Member] | Unconsolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Proportionate Share of the Consolidated and Unconsolidated Joint Ventures Equity Owned by or Beneficial Interest in the Reporting Entity Directly or Indirectly	49.00%
Maximum [Member] | Reporting Entitys Interest in Joint Venture [Member] | Line Item Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Total Construction Contract Value	$ 53,100,000

[1] The volume and stage of completion of contracts from our consolidated construction joint ventures may cause fluctuations in cash and cash equivalents as well as billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings between periods.

[2] Prior period amounts have been revised to conform to current year presentation. The revisions had no impact on the consolidated balance sheets or on the accounting for consolidated construction joint ventures.

[3] The assets and liabilities of each joint venture relate solely to that joint venture. The decision to distribute joint venture cash and cash equivalents and assets must generally be made jointly by all of the partners and, accordingly, these cash and cash equivalents and assets generally are not available for the working capital needs of Granite.