CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Revenue
Construction	$ 245,113	$ 260,600	$ 363,059	$ 353,292
Large project construction	228,799	162,338	392,727	300,158
Sales Revenue, Goods, Net	63,349	58,114	88,972	81,912
Sales of Real Estate	2,354	3,622	5,017	6,043
Total revenue	539,615	484,674	849,775	741,405
Cost of revenue
Construction	227,152	237,211	336,518	324,350
Large project construction	200,560	149,680	342,239	256,202
Construction materials	58,349	49,644	89,922	80,712
Real estate	1,638	3,183	4,244	5,197
Total cost of revenue	487,699	439,718	772,923	666,461
Gross profit	51,916	44,956	76,852	74,944
Selling, general and administrative expenses	40,806	38,793	83,994	82,165
Gain on sales of property and equipment	2,954	3,270	4,871	5,974
Operating income (loss)	14,064	9,433	(2,271)	(1,247)
Other income (expense)
Interest income	611	575	1,655	1,819
Interest expense	(2,827)	(879)	(6,009)	(4,235)
Equity in loss of affiliates	(484)	(181)	(1,101)	(438)
Other income, net	(5,018)	(688)	1,853	(118)
Total other expense	(7,718)	(1,173)	(3,602)	(2,972)
Income (loss) before provision for (benefit from) income taxes	6,346	8,260	(5,873)	(4,219)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	1,859	2,087	(1,673)	(3,136)
Net income (loss)	4,487	6,173	(4,200)	(1,083)
Amount attributable to noncontrolling interests	(2,538)	(1,227)	(5,624)	(2,978)
Net income (loss) attributable to Granite Construction Incorporated	$ 1,949	$ 4,946	$ (9,824)	$ (4,061)
Net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders (see Note 13)
Basic	$ 0.05	$ 0.13	$ (0.26)	$ (0.11)
Diluted	$ 0.05	$ 0.13	$ (0.26)	$ (0.11)
Weighted average shares of common stock
Basic	38,471	38,140	38,368	38,052
Diluted	39,151	38,479	38,368	38,052
Dividends per common share	$ 0.13	$ 0.13	$ 0.26	$ 0.26