CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Revenue
Construction	$ 177,119	$ 117,946
Large Project Construction	171,714	163,928
Construction Materials	29,750	25,623
Real Estate	121	2,663
Total revenue	378,704	310,160
Cost of revenue
Construction	163,918	109,366
Large Project Construction	148,993	141,679
Construction Materials	35,724	31,573
Real Estate	11	2,606
Total cost of revenue	348,646	285,224
Gross profit	30,058	24,936
Selling, general and administrative expenses	57,659	45,090
Gain on restructuring	498	1,902
Gain on sales of property and equipment	1,087	1,917
Operating loss	(26,016)	(16,335)
Other (expense) income
Interest income	129	1,044
Interest expense	(3,646)	(3,182)
Equity in loss of affiliates	(423)	(617)
Other income, net	1,103	6,871
Total other (expense) income	(2,837)	4,116
Loss before benefit from income taxes	(28,853)	(12,219)
Benefit from income taxes	(9,027)	(3,532)
Net loss	(19,826)	(8,687)
Amount attributable to noncontrolling interests	(2,156)	(3,086)
Net loss attributable to Granite Construction Incorporated	$ (21,982)	$ (11,773)
Net loss per share attributable to common shareholders (see Note 12 and 13)
Basic	$ (0.57)	$ (0.31)
Diluted	$ (0.57)	$ (0.31)
Weighted average shares of common stock
Basic	38,610	38,265
Diluted	38,610	38,265
Dividends per common share	$ 0.13	$ 0.13