CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 321,990	$ 256,990
Short-term marketable securities	56,088	70,408
Receivables, net	325,529	251,838
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings	34,116	37,703
Inventories	59,785	50,975
Real estate held for development and sale	50,223	67,037
Deferred income taxes	36,687	38,571
Equity in construction joint ventures	105,805	101,029
Other current assets	31,834	35,171
Total current assets	1,022,057	909,722
Property and equipment, net	481,478	447,140
Long-term marketable securities	55,342	79,250
Investments in affiliates	30,799	31,071
Goodwill	55,419	9,900
Other noncurrent assets	84,392	70,716
Total assets	1,729,487	1,547,799
Current liabilities
Current maturities of long-term debt	8,353	9,102
Current maturities of non-recourse debt	10,707	23,071
Accounts payable	202,541	158,660
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings	139,692	90,845
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	169,979	166,790
Total current liabilities	531,272	448,468
Long-term debt	270,148	208,501
Long-term non-recourse debt	922	9,912
Other long-term liabilities	47,124	49,221
Deferred income taxes	8,163	4,034
Commitments and contingencies
Equity
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 3,000,000 shares, none outstanding	0	0
Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 150,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 38,730,665 shares as of December 31, 2012, 38,682,771 shares as of December 31, 2011	387	387
Additional paid-in capital	117,422	111,514
Retained earnings	712,144	687,296
Total Granite Construction Incorporated shareholders' equity	829,953	799,197
Noncontrolling interests	41,905	28,466
Total equity	871,858	827,663
Total liabilities and equity	$ 1,729,487	$ 1,547,799