Construction and Line Item Joint Ventures - Consolidated Construction Joint Ventures (Details) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($)
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 252,836	$ 255,961	$ 229,121	$ 321,990
Other current assets		26,709	23,033
Total current assets		985,222	916,947
Property and equipment, net		385,129	409,653
Total assets		1,627,860	1,600,048	1,609,362
Accounts payable		157,571	151,935
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings		92,515	108,992
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		200,935	200,652
Contracts Revenue		1,262,675	1,186,445	1,251,197
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities		66,978	43,142	5,380
Joint Venture Consolidated [Member] | Consolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	[1]	46,210	61,276
Receivables, net		45,734	36,781
Costs in Excess of Billings		4,863	1,746
Total current assets		96,807	99,803
Property and equipment, net		5,378	11,969
Total assets	[2]	102,185	111,772
Accounts payable		11,909	18,009
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings	[1]	15,768	32,830
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		1,171	2,714
Total liabilities	[2]	$ 28,848	53,553
Number of active construction joint venture projects		5
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		$ 1,600,000
Other Partners Interest in Partnerships [Member] | Unconsolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Total Construction Contract Value		3,500,000
Minimum [Member] | Joint Venture Consolidated [Member] | Consolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Total Construction Contract Value		1,500
Contracts Revenue		54,400	155,100	170,000
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities		(16,400)	$ 22,500	$ 10,900
Minimum [Member] | Joint Venture Unconsolidated [Member] | Unconsolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Total Construction Contract Value		73,700
Minimum [Member] | Joint Venture Unconsolidated [Member] | Line Item Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Total Construction Contract Value		42,500
Minimum [Member] | Reporting Entitys Interest in Joint Venture [Member] | Consolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Revenue Remaining to be Recognized on Consolidated Construction Joint Ventures		$ 100
Proportionate Share of the Consolidated and Unconsolidated Joint Ventures Equity Owned by or Beneficial Interest in the Reporting Entity Directly or Indirectly		50.00%
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		$ 28,600
Maximum [Member] | Joint Venture Consolidated [Member] | Consolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Total Construction Contract Value		293,800
Maximum [Member] | Joint Venture Unconsolidated [Member] | Unconsolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Total Construction Contract Value		3,500,000
Maximum [Member] | Joint Venture Unconsolidated [Member] | Line Item Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Total Construction Contract Value		87,300
Maximum [Member] | Reporting Entitys Interest in Joint Venture [Member] | Consolidated Construction Joint Venture [Member]
Construction Joint Venture [Line Items]
Revenue Remaining to be Recognized on Consolidated Construction Joint Ventures		$ 117,200
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		$ 64,800

[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 and costs in excess of billings and estimated earnings between periods.

[2] The assets and liabilities of each consolidated 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 a majority of the members and, accordingly, these cash and cash equivalents and assets generally are not available for the working capital needs of Granite until distributed.