<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><own:edgarSubmission xmlns:com="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/common" xmlns:own="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/ownership">
  <!-- Generated by Workiva -->
  <own:headerData>
    <own:submissionType>144</own:submissionType>
    <own:filerInfo>
      <own:filer>
        <own:filerCredentials>
          <own:cik>0001934956</own:cik>
          <own:ccc>XXXXXXXX</own:ccc>
        </own:filerCredentials>
      </own:filer>
      <own:liveTestFlag>LIVE</own:liveTestFlag>



    </own:filerInfo>
  </own:headerData>
  <own:formData>
    <own:issuerInfo>
      <own:issuerCik>0000861459</own:issuerCik>
      <own:issuerName>GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INC</own:issuerName>
      <own:secFileNumber>001-12911</own:secFileNumber>
      <own:issuerAddress>
        <com:street1>585 WEST BEACH ST</com:street1>
        <com:city>WATSONVILLE</com:city>
        <com:stateOrCountry>CA</com:stateOrCountry>
        <com:zipCode>95076</com:zipCode>
      </own:issuerAddress>
      <own:issuerContactPhone>8317241011</own:issuerContactPhone>
      <own:nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>BRADLEY J WILLIAMS</own:nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>
      <own:relationshipsToIssuer>
        <own:relationshipToIssuer>OFFICER</own:relationshipToIssuer>
      </own:relationshipsToIssuer>
    </own:issuerInfo>
    <own:securitiesInformation>
      <own:securitiesClassTitle>COMMON</own:securitiesClassTitle>
      <own:brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
        <own:name>MERRILL LYNCH</own:name>
        <own: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>
        </own:address>
      </own:brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
      <own:noOfUnitsSold>6734</own:noOfUnitsSold>
      <own:aggregateMarketValue>949494</own:aggregateMarketValue>
      <own:noOfUnitsOutstanding>43746699</own:noOfUnitsOutstanding>
      <own:approxSaleDate>06/08/2026</own:approxSaleDate>
      <own:securitiesExchangeName>NYSE</own:securitiesExchangeName>
    </own:securitiesInformation>
    <own:securitiesToBeSold>
      <own:securitiesClassTitle>COMMON</own:securitiesClassTitle>
      <own:acquiredDate>03/23/2026</own:acquiredDate>
      <own:natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>VESTED RESTRICTED SHARES</own:natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
      <own:nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INC</own:nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
      <own:isGiftTransaction>N</own:isGiftTransaction>
      <own:amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>6734</own:amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
      <own:paymentDate>03/23/2026</own:paymentDate>
      <own:natureOfPayment>STOCK BONUS</own:natureOfPayment>
    </own:securitiesToBeSold>
    <own:nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>Y</own:nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>
    <own:noticeSignature>
      <own:noticeDate>06/08/2026</own:noticeDate>
      <own:signature>BRADLEY J WILLIAMS</own:signature>
    </own:noticeSignature>
  </own:formData>
</own:edgarSubmission>
