Construction and Line Item Joint Ventures - Consolidated Construction Joint Ventures (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Mar. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 226,226,000		$ 256,990,000		$ 240,768,000		$ 252,022,000
Other current assets	34,882,000		35,171,000		44,059,000
Total current assets	846,888,000		909,722,000		837,037,000
Total assets	1,469,955,000		1,547,799,000		1,464,588,000
Accounts payable	129,480,000		158,660,000		94,688,000
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings	87,370,000		90,845,000		113,347,000
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	148,196,000		166,790,000		144,584,000
Total current liabilities	393,913,000		448,468,000		378,710,000
Line Item Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Number of Active Joint Venture Projects	4
Partnership Interest [Member] | Unconsolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Revenue Remaining to be Recognized on Unconsolidated Construction Joint Ventures	2,200,000,000
Joint Venture Consolidated [Member] | Consolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	69,423,000	[1]	75,122,000	[1]	107,978,000	[1]
Other current assets	40,410,000		33,750,000		26,666,000
Total current assets	109,833,000		108,872,000		134,644,000
Noncurrent assets	7,516,000		8,671,000		6,686,000
Total assets	117,349,000	[2]	117,543,000	[2]	141,330,000	[2]
Accounts payable	28,591,000		38,193,000		25,952,000
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings	24,827,000	[1]	22,251,000	[1]	40,413,000	[1]
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	5,640,000		5,129,000		8,526,000
Total current liabilities	59,058,000		65,573,000		74,891,000
Noncurrent liabilities	28,000		4,000		1,000
Total liabilities	59,086,000	[2]	65,577,000	[2]	74,892,000	[2]
Number of Active Joint Venture Projects	2
Joint Venture Unconsolidated [Member] | Unconsolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Number of Active Joint Venture Projects	9
Reporting Entitys Interest in Joint Venture [Member] | Unconsolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Revenue Remaining to be Recognized on Unconsolidated Construction Joint Ventures	800,000,000
Other Partners Interest in Partnerships [Member] | Unconsolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Revenue Remaining to be Recognized on Unconsolidated Construction Joint Ventures	1,400,000,000
Minimum [Member] | Joint Venture Consolidated [Member] | Consolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Construction Contract Value	235,900,000
Proportionate Share of the Consolidated Joint Ventures Equity Owned by or Beneficial Interest in the Reporting Entity Directly or Indirectly	45.00%
Minimum [Member] | Joint Venture Unconsolidated [Member] | Unconsolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Construction Contract Value	57,800,000
Proportionate Share of the Consolidated Joint Ventures Equity Owned by or Beneficial Interest in the Reporting Entity Directly or Indirectly	20.00%
Minimum [Member] | Joint Venture Unconsolidated [Member] | Line Item Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Construction Contract Value	52,100,000
Minimum [Member] | Reporting Entitys Interest in Joint Venture [Member] | Unconsolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Revenue Remaining to be Recognized on Unconsolidated Construction Joint Ventures	2,800,000
Minimum [Member] | Reporting Entitys Interest in Joint Venture [Member] | Line Item Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Construction Contract Value	21,400,000
Maximum [Member] | Joint Venture Consolidated [Member] | Consolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Construction Contract Value	317,500,000
Proportionate Share of the Consolidated Joint Ventures Equity Owned by or Beneficial Interest in the Reporting Entity Directly or Indirectly	60.00%
Maximum [Member] | Joint Venture Unconsolidated [Member] | Unconsolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Construction Contract Value	1,200,000,000
Proportionate Share of the Consolidated Joint Ventures Equity Owned by or Beneficial Interest in the Reporting Entity Directly or Indirectly	50.00%
Maximum [Member] | Joint Venture Unconsolidated [Member] | Line Item Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Construction Contract Value	128,300,000
Maximum [Member] | Reporting Entitys Interest in Joint Venture [Member] | Unconsolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Revenue Remaining to be Recognized on Unconsolidated Construction Joint Ventures	242,200,000
Maximum [Member] | Reporting Entitys Interest in Joint Venture [Member] | Line Item Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Construction Contract Value	$ 53,600,000

[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] 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.