CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenue
Construction	$ 447,097	$ 470,567	$ 873,357	$ 956,287
Large Project Construction	179,446	185,997	611,110	539,268
Construction Materials	93,214	83,172	200,985	173,107
Real Estate	7	16	29	141
Total revenue	719,764	739,752	1,685,481	1,668,803
Cost of revenue
Construction	398,295	419,848	790,584	868,298
Large Project Construction	173,767	188,160	538,846	497,139
Construction Materials	81,010	75,884	185,536	167,839
Real Estate	0	0	0	14
Total cost of revenue	653,072	683,892	1,514,966	1,533,290
Gross profit	66,692	55,860	170,515	135,513
Selling, general and administrative expenses	47,386	45,527	147,731	149,477
Gain on sales of property and equipment	3,004	3,259	6,891	7,653
Operating income (loss)	22,310	13,592	29,675	(6,311)
Other income (expense)
Interest income	451	602	1,343	1,110
Interest expense	(2,488)	(3,736)	(10,426)	(11,081)
Equity in income of affiliates	1,109	(2)	2,310	273
Other (expense) income, net	(1,196)	1,022	450	1,630
Total other expense	(2,124)	(2,114)	(6,323)	(8,068)
Income (loss) before provision for (benefit from) income taxes	20,186	11,478	23,352	(14,379)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	6,081	4,946	8,301	(2,867)
Net income (loss)	14,105	6,532	15,051	(11,512)
Amount attributable to non-controlling interests	1,177	6,505	(6,681)	3,986
Net income (loss) attributable to Granite Construction Incorporated	$ 15,282	$ 13,037	$ 8,370	$ (7,526)
Net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders (see Note 12)
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.39	$ 0.34	$ 0.21	$ (0.19)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.38	$ 0.33	$ 0.21	$ (0.19)
Weighted average shares of common stock
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic	39,150	38,876	39,073	38,773
Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted	39,813	39,759	39,790	38,773
Dividends per common share (in US$ per share)	$ 0.13	$ 0.13	$ 0.39	$ 0.39