-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 0APIap+DrJjpwfOmA9SD5A==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001082775-06-000004.txt : 20060404
<SEC-HEADER>0001082775-06-000004.hdr.sgml : 20060404
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20060404172952
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001082775-06-000004
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20060331
FILED AS OF DATE:		20060404
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20060404

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000861459
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	HEAVY CONSTRUCTION OTHER THAN BUILDING CONST - CONTRACTORS [1600]
		IRS NUMBER:				770239383
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		585 WEST BEACH ST
		CITY:			WATSONVILLE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95076
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8317241011

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		585 WEST BEACH ST
		CITY:			WATSONVILLE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95076

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			KELSEY DAVID H
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001082775

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-12911
		FILM NUMBER:		06739485

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2168613300

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O OGLEBAY NORTON CO
		STREET 2:		1100 SUPERIOR AVENUE
		CITY:			CLEVELAND
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44114-2598
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
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<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-03-31</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000861459</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>GVA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
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            <rptOwnerCik>0001082775</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KELSEY DAVID H</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>585 W. BEACH STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WATSONVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>95076</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
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    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
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                <value>Common Stock</value>
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            <transactionDate>
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            <transactionCoding>
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                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
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            <transactionAmounts>
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                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
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    <derivativeTable>
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            <underlyingSecurity>
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                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
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            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>18.295</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-03-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>549</value>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2005-09-30</value>
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            <expirationDate>
                <value>2015-09-30</value>
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            <underlyingSecurity>
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                <natureOfOwnership>
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        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
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            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
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            <transactionDate>
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            <transactionAmounts>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            <exerciseDate>
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            <underlyingSecurity>
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        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
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            <transactionDate>
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                <value>2006-03-31</value>
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                <value>2016-03-30</value>
            </expirationDate>
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                <value>2006-03-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
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                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
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                    <value>527</value>
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                    <value>A</value>
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                <value>2006-03-31</value>
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            <expirationDate>
                <value>2016-03-30</value>
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                </underlyingSecurityShares>
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                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>8196</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Stock Units granted pursuant to the Granite Construction Incorporated Amended and Restated 1999 Equity Incentive Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Dividends on Stock Units granted pursuant to the Granite Construction Incorporated Amended and Restated 1999 Equity Incentive Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">The option was amended by mutual agreement of the reporting person and Granite Construction Incorporated to increase the exercise price of option ot fair market value of the underlying stock on the date of grant. The amended option also is reported on this Form 4.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">The option is an amended option. The option prior to amendment is treated as cancelled on this Form 4.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Michael Futch, Secretary, for David H. Kelsey</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-04-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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