Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-3 (No. 333-43422 and No. 333-172599) and S-8 (Nos. 333-170488, No. 333-118299, No. 333-80471 and No. 033-36485) of Granite Construction Incorporated of our report dated February 23, 2012 relating to the financial statements, financial statement schedule and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in this Form 10‑K.

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

San Francisco, California

February 23, 2012