CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenue
Construction	$ 470,567	$ 385,744	$ 956,287	$ 748,803
Large Project Construction	187,820	255,918	540,906	648,645
Construction Materials	83,172	86,782	173,107	175,754
Real Estate	16	38	141	5,055
Total revenue	741,575	728,482	1,670,441	1,578,257
Cost of revenue
Construction	420,932	352,471	868,300	688,989
Large Project Construction	190,363	198,104	498,639	540,343
Construction Materials	75,884	76,798	167,839	166,720
Real Estate	0	10	13	4,254
Total cost of revenue	687,179	627,383	1,534,791	1,400,306
Gross profit	54,396	101,099	135,650	177,951
Selling, general and administrative expenses	46,586	41,280	150,698	127,801
Loss (gain) on restructuring	474	0	(23)	(2,527)
Gain on sales of property and equipment	3,259	1,622	7,653	6,493
Operating income (loss)	10,595	61,441	(7,372)	59,170
Other (expense) income
Interest income	602	485	1,110	2,140
Interest expense	(3,736)	(2,561)	(11,081)	(8,570)
Equity in (loss) income of affiliates	(2)	1,481	273	380
Other income, net	1,022	2,013	1,630	3,866
Total other (expense) income	(2,114)	1,418	(8,068)	(2,184)
Income (loss) before provision for (benefit from) income taxes	8,481	62,859	(15,440)	56,986
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	4,026	17,113	(3,235)	15,440
Net income (loss)	4,455	45,746	(12,205)	41,546
Amount attributable to noncontrolling interests	6,542	(8,625)	3,938	(14,249)
Net income (loss) attributable to Granite Construction Incorporated	$ 10,997	$ 37,121	$ (8,267)	$ 27,297
Net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders (see Notes 13 and 14)
Net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders - Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.28	$ 0.96	$ (0.21)	$ 0.71
Net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders - Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.28	$ 0.94	$ (0.21)	$ 0.70
Weighted average shares of common stock
Weighted average shares of common stock - Basic	38,876	38,518	38,773	38,418
Weighted average shares of common stock - Diluted	39,759	39,141	38,773	39,013
Dividends per common share	$ 0.13	$ 0.13	$ 0.39	$ 0.39