CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Revenue
Construction	$ 308,602	$ 245,113	$ 485,720	$ 363,059
Large Project Construction	181,371	228,799	353,086	392,727
Construction Materials	60,185	63,349	89,935	88,972
Real Estate	4	2,354	125	5,017
Total revenue	550,162	539,615	928,866	849,775
Cost of revenue
Construction	283,448	227,152	447,367	336,518
Large Project Construction	159,283	200,560	308,278	342,239
Construction Materials	56,231	58,349	91,955	89,922
Real Estate	3	1,638	13	4,244
Total cost of revenue	498,965	487,699	847,613	772,923
Gross profit	51,197	51,916	81,253	76,852
Selling, general and administrative expenses	46,454	40,806	104,112	85,882
Gain on restructuring	0	0	497	1,888
Gain on sales of property and equipment	3,306	2,954	4,394	4,871
Operating income (loss)	8,049	14,064	(17,968)	(2,271)
Other income (expense)
Interest income	380	611	508	1,655
Interest expense	(3,700)	(2,827)	(7,345)	(6,009)
Equity in income (loss) of affiliates	698	(484)	275	(1,101)
Other (expense) income, net	(495)	(5,018)	608	1,853
Total other expense	(3,117)	(7,718)	(5,954)	(3,602)
Income (loss) before benefit from income taxes	4,932	6,346	(23,922)	(5,873)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	1,766	1,859	(7,261)	(1,673)
Net income (loss)	3,166	4,487	(16,661)	(4,200)
Amount attributable to noncontrolling interests	(448)	(2,538)	(2,603)	(5,624)
Net income (loss) attributable to Granite Construction Incorporated	$ 2,718	$ 1,949	$ (19,264)	$ (9,824)
Net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders (see Note 12 and 13)
Earnings (Loss) Per Share, Basic	$ 0.07	$ 0.05	$ (0.50)	$ (0.26)
Earnings (Loss) Per Share, Diluted	$ 0.07	$ 0.05	$ (0.50)	$ (0.26)
Weighted average shares of common stock
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic	38,829	38,471	38,720	38,368
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted	39,769	39,151	38,720	38,368
Dividends per common share	$ 0.13	$ 0.13	$ 0.26	$ 0.26