Construction and Line Item Joint Ventures - Consolidated Construction Joint Ventures (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 229,121,000		$ 321,990,000		$ 256,990,000	$ 252,022,000
Other current assets	30,711,000		31,834,000
Total current assets	950,203,000		1,022,057,000
Property and equipment, net	436,859,000		481,478,000
Total assets	1,617,155,000		1,729,487,000		1,547,799,000
Accounts payable	160,706,000		202,541,000
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings ($60,185 and $72,490 related to CCJVs)	138,375,000		139,692,000
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	197,242,000		169,979,000
Total current liabilities	497,570,000		531,272,000
Contracts Revenue	1,251,197,000		984,106,000		1,043,614,000
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	5,380,000		91,790,000		92,345,000
Partnership Interest [Member] | Unconsolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Total Construction Contract Value	4,400,000,000
Joint Venture Consolidated [Member] | Consolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	38,800,000	[1]	105,865,000	[1]
Receivables, net	38,372,000		43,902,000
Other current assets	4,778,000		4,008,000
Total current assets	81,950,000		153,775,000
Property and equipment, net	22,216,000		41,114,000
Noncurrent assets	0		1,700,000
Total assets	104,166,000	[2]	196,589,000	[2]
Accounts payable	16,937,000		34,536,000
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings ($60,185 and $72,490 related to CCJVs)	60,185,000	[1]	72,490,000	[1]
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	11,299,000		8,312,000
Total liabilities	88,421,000	[2]	115,338,000
Number of active construction joint venture projects	4
Joint Venture Unconsolidated [Member] | Unconsolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Number of active construction joint venture projects	11
Joint Venture Unconsolidated [Member] | Line Item Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Number of active construction joint venture projects	4
Reporting Entitys Interest in Joint Venture [Member] | Unconsolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Total Construction Contract Value	1,200,000,000
Other Partners Interest in Partnerships [Member] | Unconsolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Total Construction Contract Value	3,200,000,000
Minimum [Member] | Joint Venture Consolidated [Member] | Consolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Total Construction Contract Value	400,000
Deferred Revenue	100,000
Contracts Revenue	170,000,000		222,300,000		233,000,000
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	10,900,000		25,200,000		21,600,000
Minimum [Member] | Joint Venture Unconsolidated [Member] | Unconsolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Total Construction Contract Value	40,000,000
Minimum [Member] | Joint Venture Unconsolidated [Member] | Line Item Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Total Construction Contract Value	42,600,000
Minimum [Member] | Reporting Entitys Interest in Joint Venture [Member] | Consolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Proportionate Share of the Consolidated and Unconsolidated Joint Ventures Equity Owned by or Beneficial Interest in the Reporting Entity Directly or Indirectly	51.00%
Minimum [Member] | Reporting Entitys Interest in Joint Venture [Member] | Unconsolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Proportionate Share of the Consolidated and Unconsolidated Joint Ventures Equity Owned by or Beneficial Interest in the Reporting Entity Directly or Indirectly	20.00%
Minimum [Member] | Reporting Entitys Interest in Joint Venture [Member] | Line Item Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Total Construction Contract Value	23,600,000
Maximum [Member] | Joint Venture Consolidated [Member] | Consolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Total Construction Contract Value	337,000,000
Deferred Revenue	66,900,000
Maximum [Member] | Joint Venture Unconsolidated [Member] | Unconsolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Total Construction Contract Value	3,100,000,000
Maximum [Member] | Joint Venture Unconsolidated [Member] | Line Item Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Total Construction Contract Value	84,200,000
Maximum [Member] | Reporting Entitys Interest in Joint Venture [Member] | Consolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Proportionate Share of the Consolidated and Unconsolidated Joint Ventures Equity Owned by or Beneficial Interest in the Reporting Entity Directly or Indirectly	65.00%
Maximum [Member] | Reporting Entitys Interest in Joint Venture [Member] | Unconsolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Proportionate Share of the Consolidated and Unconsolidated Joint Ventures Equity Owned by or Beneficial Interest in the Reporting Entity Directly or Indirectly	50.00%
Maximum [Member] | Reporting Entitys Interest in Joint Venture [Member] | Line Item Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Total Construction Contract Value	$ 61,900,000

[1] The volume and stage of completion of contracts from our consolidated construction joint ventures may cause fluctuations in cash and cash equivalents as well as billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings between periods.

[2] The assets and liabilities of each joint venture relate solely to that joint venture. The decision to distribute joint venture cash and cash equivalents and assets must generally be made jointly by all of the partners and, accordingly, these cash and cash equivalents and assets generally are not available for the working capital needs of Granite until distributed.