Equity

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]

Equity

The following tables summarize our equity activity for the periods presented:

(in thousands)	Granite Construction Incorporated			Noncontrolling Interests			Total Equity
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	799,197		$	28,466		$	827,663
Purchase of common stock1	(4,521		)	—			(4,521		)
Other transactions with shareholders3	7,690			—			7,690
Transactions with noncontrolling interests, net4	—			(8,022		)	(8,022		)
Net income	27,297			14,249			41,546
Dividends on common stock	(15,082		)	—			(15,082		)
Balance at September 30, 2012	$	814,581		$	34,693		$	849,274

(in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2010	$	761,031		$	34,604		$	795,635
Purchase of common stock2	(3,840		)	—			(3,840		)
Other transactions with shareholders3	7,589			—			7,589
Transactions with noncontrolling interests, net4	—			(17,489		)	(17,489		)
Net income	32,407			8,886			41,293
Dividends on common stock	(15,078		)	—			(15,078		)
Balance at September 30, 2011	$	782,109		$	26,001		$	808,110

¹Represents 154,000 shares purchased in connection with employee tax withholding for shares/units granted under our Amended and Restated 1999 Equity Incentive Plan.

²Represents 138,000 shares purchased in connection with employee tax withholding for shares/units granted under our Amended and Restated 1999 Equity Incentive Plan.

³Amounts are comprised primarily of amortized restricted stock and units.

⁴Amounts are comprised primarily of distributions to noncontrolling partners.