Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]

Summary of Reconciliation of Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash Reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets

The table below presents changes in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash on the consolidated statements of cash flows and a reconciliation to the amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets (in thousands).

Years Ended December 31,	2018		2017		2016
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	$	233,711	$	189,326	$	252,836
End of the period
Cash and cash equivalents		272,804		233,711		189,326
Restricted cash		5,825		—		—
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period		278,629		233,711		189,326
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	44,918	$	44,385	$	(63,510	)

Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member]

Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]

Summary of Impact of Adoption of Accounting Standards

The amounts by which each consolidated balance sheet line item as of December 31, 2018 and consolidated statement of operations line item for the year ended December 31, 2018 was affected by the adoption of Topic 606 relative to the previous revenue guidance are presented in the tables below (in thousands). The changes are primarily related to reclassifications on the consolidated balance sheet and the impact on the consolidated statement of operations from the new requirements under Topic 606. The change in retained earnings is net of the cumulative effect of initially applying Topic 606.

December 31, 2018

Consolidated Balance Sheet	As Reported		Balances Without Adoption of Topic 606		Effect of Change Higher/(Lower)
Assets
Receivables, net	$	473,246	$	578,433	$	(105,187	)
Contract assets		219,754		—		219,754
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings		—		151,985		(151,985	)
Other noncurrent assets		131,601		126,329		5,272
Liabilities and equity
Contract liabilities	$	105,449	$	—	$	105,449
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings		—		139,575		(139,575	)
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		273,626		267,850		5,776
Retained earnings		787,356		791,151		(3,795	)

Year Ended December 31, 2018

Consolidated Statement of Operations	As Reported		Balances Without Adoption of Topic 606		Effect of Change Higher/(Lower)
Revenue
Transportation	$	1,976,743	$	1,970,311	$	6,432
Water		338,250		334,807		3,443
Specialty		626,619		627,230		(611	)
Materials		376,802		376,802		—
Total revenue		3,318,414		3,309,150		9,264
Cost of revenue
Transportation	$	1,786,698	$	1,792,794	$	(6,096	)
Water		278,676		278,676		—
Specialty		535,731		535,731		—
Materials		328,117		328,117		—
Total cost of revenue		2,929,222		2,935,318		(6,096	)
Gross profit	$	389,192	$	373,832	$	15,360
Operating income		64,043		48,683		15,360
Provision for income taxes		10,414		6,459		3,955
Net income		53,741		42,336		11,405
Net income attributable to Granite Construction Incorporated		42,410		31,005		11,405