Total Other Income (Expense)

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The aggregate of amounts due from customers or clients, within one year of the balance sheet date (or one operating cycle, if longer), for goods or services that have been delivered or sold in the normal course of business and an amount representing an agreement for an unconditional promise by the maker to pay the entity (holder) a definite sum of money at a future date within one year of the balance sheet, reduced to their estimated net realizable fair value by an allowance established by the entity of the amount it deems uncertain of collection and net of any write-downs taken for collection uncertainty on the part of the holder, respectively.

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Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

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Amount of currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. Includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits. Also includes short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Excludes cash and cash equivalents within disposal group and discontinued operation.

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Amount after allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences and carryforwards expected to be realized or consumed within one year or operating cycle, if longer.

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The current period expense charged against earnings on long-lived, physical assets not used in production, and which are not intended for resale, to allocate or recognize the cost of such assets over their useful lives; or to record the reduction in book value of an intangible asset over the benefit period of such asset; or to reflect consumption during the period of an asset that is not used in production.

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Amount of gain (loss) on sale or disposal of property, plant and equipment assets, excluding oil and gas property and timber property.

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Aggregate revenue less cost of goods and services sold or operating expenses directly attributable to the revenue generation activity.

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This element represents the income or loss from continuing operations attributable to the economic entity which may also be defined as revenue less expenses from ongoing operations, after income or loss from equity method investments, but before income taxes, extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest.

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Total debt and equity financial instruments including: (1) securities held-to-maturity, (2) trading securities, and (3) securities available-for-sale.

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Aggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of current assets not separately disclosed in the balance sheet. Current assets are expected to be realized or consumed within one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer).

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Aggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of noncurrent assets not separately disclosed in the balance sheet. Noncurrent assets are expected to be realized or consumed after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer).

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Amount after accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization of physical assets used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, and furniture and fixtures.

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Amount of expenses associated with exit or disposal activities pursuant to an authorized plan. Excludes expenses related to a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.

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Amount of revenue recognized from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an earning process. Includes, but is not limited to, investment and interest income before deduction of interest expense when recognized as a component of revenue, and sales and trading gain (loss).

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Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.

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The aggregate total costs related to selling a firm's product and services, as well as all other general and administrative expenses. Direct selling expenses (for example, credit, warranty, and advertising) are expenses that can be directly linked to the sale of specific products. Indirect selling expenses are expenses that cannot be directly linked to the sale of specific products, for example telephone expenses, Internet, and postal charges. General and administrative expenses include salaries of non-sales personnel, rent, utilities, communication, etc.

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Business Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers	$ 589,789us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 719,764us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 585,870us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 379,847us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 598,099us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 739,752us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 550,348us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 378,704us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 2,275,270us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 2,266,901us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 2,083,037us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
Gross profit	79,791us-gaap_GrossProfit	66,692us-gaap_GrossProfit	82,415us-gaap_GrossProfit	21,408us-gaap_GrossProfit	49,751us-gaap_GrossProfit	55,860us-gaap_GrossProfit	49,596us-gaap_GrossProfit	30,058us-gaap_GrossProfit	250,306us-gaap_GrossProfit	185,263us-gaap_GrossProfit	234,759us-gaap_GrossProfit
Segment assets	1,620,494us-gaap_Assets				1,617,155us-gaap_Assets				1,620,494us-gaap_Assets	1,617,155us-gaap_Assets	1,729,487us-gaap_Assets
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Gross profit	79,791us-gaap_GrossProfit	66,692us-gaap_GrossProfit	82,415us-gaap_GrossProfit	21,408us-gaap_GrossProfit	49,751us-gaap_GrossProfit	55,860us-gaap_GrossProfit	49,596us-gaap_GrossProfit	30,058us-gaap_GrossProfit	250,306us-gaap_GrossProfit	185,263us-gaap_GrossProfit	234,759us-gaap_GrossProfit
Selling, General and Administrative Expense									203,821	199,946	185,099
Restructuring and impairment charges (gains), net									(2,643)us-gaap_RestructuringCharges	52,139us-gaap_RestructuringCharges	(3,728)us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
Gain on sales of property and equipment									(15,972)us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets	(12,130)us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets	(27,447)us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets
Other expense (income), net									9,503gva_TotalOtherIncomeExpense	9,337gva_TotalOtherIncomeExpense	(194)gva_TotalOtherIncomeExpense
Income (loss) before provision for (benefit from) income taxes									55,597	(64,029)	81,029
Cash and cash equivalents	255,961				229,121				255,961	229,121	321,990	256,990
Receivables, net	310,934				313,598				310,934	313,598
Deferred income taxes	53,231us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNetCurrent				55,874us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNetCurrent				53,231us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNetCurrent	55,874us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNetCurrent
Other current assets	23,033us-gaap_OtherAssetsCurrent				30,711us-gaap_OtherAssetsCurrent				23,033us-gaap_OtherAssetsCurrent	30,711us-gaap_OtherAssetsCurrent
Property and equipment, net	409,653us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet				436,859us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet				409,653us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet	436,859us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
Other noncurrent assets	77,940us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent				76,580us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent				77,940us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent	76,580us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent
Construction [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers									1,186,445	1,251,197	984,106
Large Project Construction [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers									825,044	777,811	863,217
Construction Materials [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers									263,781	237,893	235,714
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									2,396,881	2,401,290	2,262,428
Gross profit									250,306	185,263	234,759
Depreciation, depletion and amortization									57,314	60,852	46,242
Segment assets	704,711				697,099				704,711	697,099	734,521
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Gross profit									250,306	185,263	234,759
Operating Segments [Member] \| Construction [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers									1,186,445	1,251,197	984,106
Gross profit									118,834	106,374	77,963
Depreciation, depletion and amortization									19,141	26,228	13,225
Segment assets	149,018				148,459				149,018	148,459	163,287
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Gross profit									118,834	106,374	77,963
Operating Segments [Member] \| Large Project Construction [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers									825,044	777,811	863,217
Gross profit									112,601	71,808	148,418
Depreciation, depletion and amortization									16,197	11,679	4,527
Segment assets	248,464				222,584				248,464	222,584	173,142
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Gross profit									112,601	71,808	148,418
Operating Segments [Member] \| Construction Materials [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									385,392	372,282	415,105
Gross profit									18,871	7,081	8,378
Depreciation, depletion and amortization									21,976	22,945	28,490
Segment assets	307,229				326,056				307,229	326,056	398,092
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Gross profit									18,871	7,081	8,378
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers									(121,611)	(134,389)	(179,391)
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] \| Construction [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers									0	0	0
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] \| Large Project Construction [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers									0	0	0
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] \| Construction Materials [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers									(121,611)	(134,389)	(179,391)
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	255,961				229,121				255,961	229,121	321,990
Short-term and long-term marketable securities	102,067				117,202				102,067	117,202	111,430
Receivables, net	310,934				313,598				310,934	313,598	325,529
Deferred income taxes	53,231				55,874				53,231	55,874	36,687
Other current assets	60,615				65,674				60,615	65,674	67,726
Property and equipment, net	45,188				54,330				45,188	54,330	50,857
Other noncurrent assets	87,787				84,257				87,787	84,257	80,747
Enterprise Improvement Plan [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Restructuring and impairment charges (gains), net					49,000				(1,283)	48,975	(3,728)
Quarry property [Member] \| Restructuring Type, Non-performing Quarry Sites [Member] \| Enterprise Improvement Plan [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Restructuring and impairment charges (gains), net										14,651	0
Quarry property [Member] \| Restructuring Type, Non-performing Quarry Sites [Member] \| Enterprise Improvement Plan [Member] \| Construction Materials [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Restructuring and impairment charges (gains), net									$ 0