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Accrued property and equipment purchases

No definition available.

Name:	gva_Accruedpropertyandequipmentpurchases
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Period Type:	duration

-- None. No documentation exists for this element. --

No definition available.

Name:	gva_CashPaidDuringPeriodForAbstract
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The increase (decrease) during the reporting period of the amount of revenue for work performed for which billing has not occurred, net of uncollectible accounts and the increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the liability reflecting cash payments received before the related costs have been incurred.

No definition available.

Name:	gva_CostsAndEstimatedEarningsInExcessOfBillingsNet
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Total increase(decrease) in the carrying amount of equity in construction joint venture.

No definition available.

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Equity In Net Income from Unconsolidated Joint Venture

No definition available.

Name:	gva_EquityInNetIncomefromUnconsolidatedJointVenture
Namespace Prefix:	gva_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Non-cash Change in Performance Guarantees

No definition available.

Name:	gva_NoncashActivityIncreaseDecreaseinPerformanceGuarantees
Namespace Prefix:	gva_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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The cash inflow associated maturities (principal being due), prepayments and calls (requests of early payments) on securities not classified as either held-to-maturity securities or trading securities which are classified as available-for-sale securities, combined with the cash inflow associated with the maturity, prepayments and calls (requests for early payments) of debt securities designated as held-to-maturity.

No definition available.

Name:	gva_ProceedsFromMaturitiesOfMarketableSecurities
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The cash inflow associated sale of securities not classified as either held-to-maturity securities or trading securities which are classified as available-for-sale securities, combined with the cash inflow associated with the maturity, prepayments and calls (requests for early payments) of debt securities designated as held-to-maturity.

No definition available.

Name:	gva_ProceedsFromSaleOfMarketableSecurities
Namespace Prefix:	gva_
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The fair value of stock, restricted stock/units issued in noncash financing activities.

No definition available.

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No definition available.

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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.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Amount of increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are the 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. Includes effect from exchange rate changes.

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No definition available.

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The aggregate expense recognized in the current period that allocates the cost of tangible assets, intangible assets, or depleting assets to periods that benefit from use of the assets.

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Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of dividends declared but unpaid on equity securities issued by the entity and outstanding.

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This item represents disclosure of the amount of dividends or other distributions received from unconsolidated subsidiaries, certain corporate joint ventures, and certain noncontrolled corporation; these investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. This element excludes distributions that constitute a return of investment, which are classified as investing activities.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Amount of gain (loss) on sale or disposal of property, plant and equipment assets, including oil and gas property and timber property.

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The amount of cash paid during the current period to foreign, federal, state, and local authorities as taxes on income, net of any cash received during the current period as refunds for the overpayment of taxes.

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The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the amount due from customers for the credit sale of goods and services; includes accounts receivable and other types of receivables.

Name:	us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsAndOtherReceivables
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The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the amounts payable to vendors for goods and services received and the amount of obligations and expenses incurred but not paid.

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The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the aggregate value of all inventory held by the reporting entity, associated with underlying transactions that are classified as operating activities.

Name:	us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInventories
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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract
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The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in other assets used in operating activities not separately disclosed in the statement of cash flows. May include changes in other current assets, other noncurrent assets, or a combination of other current and noncurrent assets.

Name:	us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets
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The amount of cash paid for interest during the period net of cash paid for interest that is capitalized.

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Amount of cash inflow (outflow) from financing activities, including discontinued operations. Financing activity cash flows include obtaining resources from owners and providing them with a return on, and a return of, their investment; borrowing money and repaying amounts borrowed, or settling the obligation; and obtaining and paying for other resources obtained from creditors on long-term credit.

Name:	us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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Period Type:	duration

Amount of cash inflow (outflow) from investing activities, including discontinued operations. Investing activity cash flows include making and collecting loans and acquiring and disposing of debt or equity instruments and property, plant, and equipment and other productive assets.

Name:	us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract
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Amount of cash inflow (outflow) from operating activities, including discontinued operations. Operating activity cash flows include transactions, adjustments, and changes in value not defined as investing or financing activities.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Name:	us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities
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No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The net cash outflow or inflow from other investing activities. This element is used when there is not a more specific and appropriate element in the taxonomy.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities
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The cash outflow to reacquire common stock during the period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Amount of cash outflow in the form of ordinary dividends to common shareholders of the parent entity.

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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Cash outflow for purchase of trading, available-for-sale securities and held-to-maturity securities.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireMarketableSecurities
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The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale; includes cash outflows to pay for construction of self-constructed assets.

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
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The net cash inflow or outflow from other financing activities. This element is used when there is not a more specific and appropriate element in the taxonomy.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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The cash inflow from the sale of long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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The cash outflow for debt initially having maturity due after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

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The aggregate amount of noncash, equity-based employee remuneration. This may include the value of stock or unit options, amortization of restricted stock or units, and adjustment for officers' compensation. As noncash, this element is an add back when calculating net cash generated by operating activities using the indirect method.

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
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No definition available.