CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Revenue
Construction	$ 984,106	$ 1,043,614	$ 943,245
Large project construction	863,217	725,043	584,406
Construction materials	230,642	220,583	222,058
Real estate	5,072	20,291	13,256
Total revenue	2,083,037	2,009,531	1,762,965
Cost of revenue
Construction	906,143	919,108	847,536
Large project construction	714,799	620,935	517,099
Construction materials	223,070	203,942	210,040
Real estate	4,266	17,583	10,506
Total cost of revenue	1,848,278	1,761,568	1,585,181
Gross profit	234,759	247,963	177,784
Selling expenses	185,099	162,302	191,593
Restructuring (gain) charges	(3,728)	2,181	109,279
Gain on sales of property and equipment	27,447	15,789	13,748
Operating income (loss)	80,835	99,269	(109,340)
Other income (expense)
Interest income	2,626	2,878	4,980
Interest expense	(10,603)	(10,362)	(9,740)
Equity in income of affiliates	1,988	2,193	756
Other income (expense), net	6,183	(4,545)	6,968
Total other income (expense)	194	(9,836)	2,964
Income (loss) before provision for (benefit from) income taxes	81,029	89,433	(106,376)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	21,109	23,348	(43,928)
Net income (loss)	59,920	66,085	(62,448)
Amount attributable to noncontrolling interests	(14,637)	(14,924)	3,465
Net income (loss) attributable to Granite Construction Incorporated	$ 45,283	$ 51,161	$ (58,983)
Net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders (see Note 16)
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.17	$ 1.32	$ (1.56)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.15	$ 1.31	$ (1.56)
Weighted average shares of common stock
Weighted average common stock outstanding, basic (in shares)	38,447	38,117	37,820
Weighted average common stock outstanding, diluted (in shares)	39,076	38,473	37,820
Dividends per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.52	$ 0.52	$ 0.52