<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><edgarSubmission xmlns="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/ownership" xmlns:com="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/common">
  <!-- Generated by Workiva -->
  <headerData>
    <submissionType>144</submissionType>
    <filerInfo>
      <filer>
        <filerCredentials>
          <cik>0001719950</cik>
          <ccc>XXXXXXXX</ccc>
        </filerCredentials>
      </filer>
      <liveTestFlag>LIVE</liveTestFlag>



    </filerInfo>
  </headerData>
  <formData>
    <issuerInfo>
      <issuerCik>0000861459</issuerCik>
      <issuerName>GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INC</issuerName>
      <secFileNumber>001-12911</secFileNumber>
      <issuerAddress>
        <com:street1>585 WEST BEACH ST</com:street1>
        <com:city>WATSONVILLE</com:city>
        <com:stateOrCountry>CA</com:stateOrCountry>
        <com:zipCode>95076</com:zipCode>
      </issuerAddress>
      <issuerContactPhone>8317241011</issuerContactPhone>
      <nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>KYLE T LARKIN</nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>
      <relationshipsToIssuer>
        <relationshipToIssuer>OFFICER</relationshipToIssuer>
      </relationshipsToIssuer>
    </issuerInfo>
    <securitiesInformation>
      <securitiesClassTitle>COMMON STOCK</securitiesClassTitle>
      <brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
        <name>MERRILL LYNCH</name>
        <address>
          <com:street1>555 CAPITOL MALL</com:street1>
          <com:street2>STE 1400</com:street2>
          <com:city>SACRAMENTO</com:city>
          <com:stateOrCountry>CA</com:stateOrCountry>
          <com:zipCode>95814</com:zipCode>
        </address>
      </brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
      <noOfUnitsSold>7314</noOfUnitsSold>
      <aggregateMarketValue>876509.76</aggregateMarketValue>
      <noOfUnitsOutstanding>43503673</noOfUnitsOutstanding>
      <approxSaleDate>03/19/2026</approxSaleDate>
      <securitiesExchangeName>NYSE</securitiesExchangeName>
    </securitiesInformation>
    <securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesClassTitle>COMMON STOCK</securitiesClassTitle>
      <acquiredDate>03/14/2026</acquiredDate>
      <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>VESTED RESTRICTED SHARES</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
      <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INC</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
      <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
      <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>7314</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
      <paymentDate>03/14/2026</paymentDate>
      <natureOfPayment>STOCK BONUS</natureOfPayment>
    </securitiesToBeSold>
    <nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>Y</nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>
    <noticeSignature>
      <noticeDate>03/19/2026</noticeDate>
      <planAdoptionDates>
        <planAdoptionDate>12/03/2025</planAdoptionDate>
      </planAdoptionDates>
      <signature>KYLE T LARKIN</signature>
    </noticeSignature>
  </formData>
</edgarSubmission>
