Sales Revenue, Goods, Net Net sales Shipping and Handling Revenue Delivery revenues Cost of Goods Sold Cost of goods sold Shipping, Handling and Transportation Costs Delivery costs Gross profit Gross Profit Selling, General and Administrative Expense Selling, administrative and general expenses Operating loss Operating earnings Other nonoperating income, net Other income, net Loss from continuing operations before income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles, Noncontrolling Interest Income Taxes [Abstract] Provision (benefit) for income taxes Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes for Continuing Operations Benefit from income taxes Benefit from income taxes Provision (benefit) for income taxes from continuing operations Loss from continuing operations Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent Earnings on discontinued operations, net of tax Earnings on discontinued operations, net of tax (Note 2) Net loss Net loss Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Basic earnings (loss) per share Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract] Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Basic Share Continuing operations Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Basic Share Discontinued operations Net loss per share Earnings Per Share, Basic Diluted earnings (loss) per share Earnings Per Share, Diluted [Abstract] Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Diluted Share Continuing operations Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Diluted Share Discontinued operations Net loss per share Earnings Per Share, Diluted Cash dividends declared per share of common stock Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Weighted-average common shares outstanding Basic Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Weighted-average common shares outstanding, assuming dilution Assuming dilution Assets Assets [Abstract] Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year Cash and cash equivalents Short-term Investments Medium-term investments Inventory, Net Inventories Current deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current Prepaid Expense, Current Prepaid expenses Prepaid expenses Assets, Current Total current assets Long-term Investments and Receivables, Net Investments and long-term receivables Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Total, net Property, plant & equipment, net Goodwill Goodwill, Ending Balance Goodwill, Beginning Balance Goodwill Goodwill Other Assets, Noncurrent Other noncurrent assets Assets Total assets Long-term Debt, Current Maturities Less current maturities of long-term debt Current maturities of long-term debt Short-term Borrowings Total Short-term borrowings Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities Total long-term debt Long-term debt Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent Deferred income tax liabilities Noncurrent deferred income taxes Noncurrent deferred income taxes Other noncurrent liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Total liabilities Liabilities Commitments and Contingencies Other commitments and contingencies (Note 19) Shareholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Shareholders' equity Common Stock, Value, Issued Common Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Total Common stock, $1 par value Capital in excess of par value Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock, Beginning Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock, Ending Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Retained earnings Retained earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Accumulated other comprehensive loss Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Total shareholders' equity Total liabilities and shareholders' equity Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, par value Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization Total Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization Pension Contributions Contributions to pension plans Total contributions to pension plans Pension plan contribution Share-based compensation Share-based Compensation, Total Share-based Compensation Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Investing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Purchases of property, plant & equipment Total Total Purchases of property, plant & equipment Proceeds from sale of property, plant & equipment Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses Cash proceeds from divestiture Proceeds from sale of businesses, net of transaction costs Proceeds from Sale of Short-term Investments Redemption of medium-term investments Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Other, net Other, net Net cash (used for) provided by investing activities Net cash used for investing activities Net cash used for investing activities Financing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Net short-term borrowings Net short-term payments Proceeds from (Repayments of) Short-term Debt, Total Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock Net proceeds from the sale of the shares in a public offering Net proceeds from issuance of common stock to the trustee under 401(k) savings and retirement plan Proceeds from issuance of common stock Dividends paid Payments of Dividends, Common Stock Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised Proceeds receivable from exercise of stock options Proceeds from exercise of stock options Other, net Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash used for financing activities Net cash used for financing activities Net increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Total Operating Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document and company information. Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block] DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS Derivative Instruments [Abstract] Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS Credit Facilities, Short-term Borrowings and Long-term Debt [Abstract] Credit Facilities, Short-term Borrowings and Long-term Debt. Debt Disclosure [Text Block] CREDIT FACILITIES, SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS AND LONG-TERM DEBT Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] INCOME TAXES Benefit Plans [Abstract] Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] BENEFIT PLANS Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Shareholders' Equity Note [Text Block] SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Comprehensive Income Note [Text Block] OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] SEGMENT REPORTING Cash Payments (Refunds) Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Text Block] SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION Asset Retirement Obligations [Abstract] Asset Retirement Obligations Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Text Block] ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Correction of errors on Consolidated Statement of Earnings Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] Correction of errors on Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract] Correction of error on Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Document Type Document Period End Date Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Shareholders' Equity [Abstract] Dividends paid Sales Revenue, Net Total revenues Cost of revenues Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net Other intangible assets, net Trade payables and accruals Other Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Other, net Adjustments, Noncash Items, to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Other Discontinued Operations [Abstract] Cost of Goods and Services Sold Net cash provided by operating activities Earnings Per Share (EPS) [Abstract] Earnings Per Share (EPS) Antidilutive common stock equivalents Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Discontinued Operations (Details) [Abstract] Discontinued Operations Details. Results From Discontinued Operations [Abstract] Results from discontinued operations Results From Discontinued Operations. Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax Pretax earnings from results Discontinued Operation, Tax Effect of Discontinued Operation Income tax provision Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Share-based Payment Arrangements Stock options/SOSARs Antidilutive common stock equivalents Antidilutive common stock equivalents [Abstract] Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Antidilutive common stock equivalents Income Taxes (Details) [Abstract] Income Taxes Details. Discontinued Operations (Textuals) [Abstract] Discontinued Operations (Textuals) Discontinued Operations Textuals. Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Medium-term investments principal balance Medium term investments principal balances in money market and other money funds. Medium-term investments principal balance Fair Value Measurement On Recurring Basis Net liability Net (asset) liability Fair Value Measurement On Recurring Basis Net Liability. Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment [Text Block] Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment. Goodwill, Impairment Loss Goodwill impairment charges Goodwill impairment loss Level 1 [Member] Level 2 [Member] Cement [Member] Cement [Member] Cement Member. Aggregates [Member] Aggregates [Member] Aggregates Member. Comprehensive loss Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Reclassification adjustment for cash flow hedges included in net loss Other Comprehensive Income, Reclassification Adjustment on Derivatives Included in Net Income, Net of Tax Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, Net of Tax Pension and postretirement plans Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cumulative Changes in Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges, Effect Net of Tax Cash flow hedges Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables) [Abstract] Supplemental Cash Flow Information Tables Abstract. Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Text Block] Supplemental Cash Flow Information Supplemental Cash Flow Information. Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) [Abstract] Supplemental Cash Flow Information Details Abstract. Supplemental Cash Flows Information Abstract Supplemental Cash Flows Information Supplemental Cash Flows Information Abstract. Income Taxes Paid, Net Income taxes Shareholders' Equity (Details) [Abstract] Shareholders Equity Details Abstract. Shareholders Equity Textuals Abstract Shareholders' Equity (Textuals) Shareholders Equity Textuals Abstract. Fair Value, Measured on Recurring Basis, Investments Fair value recurring Other comprehensive income, net of tax Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Other Comprehensive Income, Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax Fair value adjustments to cash flow hedges Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Cash Flow, Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Accrued liabilities for purchases of property, plant & equipment Capital Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid Derivative Instruments (Tables) [Abstract] Derivative Instruments Tables. Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value [Text Block] Fair values of derivative instruments designated as hedging instruments Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) in Statement of Financial Performance [Text Block] Effects of cash flow hedge derivative instruments on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income Derivative Instruments (Details) [Abstract] Derivative Instruments Details. Derivative Liability, Fair Value [Abstract] Fair values of derivative instruments designated as hedging instruments Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) in Statement of Financial Performance [Abstract] Effects of cash flow hedge derivative instruments on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income Benefit Plans (Tables) [Abstract] Benefit Plans Tables. Benefit Plans (Details) [Abstract] Benefit Plans Details. Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost Service cost Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost Interest cost Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return on Plan Assets Expected return on plan assets Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit) Amortization of prior service cost Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost Net periodic benefit cost Pension Benefits [Member] Pension Benefits [Member] Other Postretirement Benefits [Member] Other Postretirement Benefits [Member] Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract] Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost Derivative Instruments Textuals Abstract Derivative Instruments (Textuals) Derivative Instruments Textuals. Benefit Plans Textuals Abstract Benefit Plans (Textuals) Benefit Plans Textuals. Discontinued Operation, Amount of Adjustment to Prior Period Gain (Loss) on Disposal, before Income Tax Gain on disposal of discontinued operations Gain on disposal, net of transaction bonus Derivative Contract Type [Domain] Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures, Defined Benefit Plans [Axis] Defined Benefit Plans [Domain] Accounting Standards Codification Topic 740 - Income Taxes recognition threshold for uncertain tax positions For a tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, we initially and subsequently measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that we judge to have a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority. Accounting Standards Codification Topic 740 - Income Taxes recognition threshold for uncertain tax positions Interest rate derivatives [Member] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) by Income Statement Location [Axis] Income Statement and Other Comprehensive Income Location [Domain] Interest Expense [Member] Derivatives, Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Derivatives, Fair Value, by Derivative Instrument Risk [Axis] Financial requirement for industrial revenue bond Financial requirement for industrial revenue bond Financial requirement for industrial revenue bond. Contractual reclamation restoration requirements Contractual reclamation/restoration requirements. Contractual reclamation/restoration requirements Payment surety required by utilities Payment surety required by utilities. Payment surety required by utilities Risk management requirement for insurance claims Risk management requirement for insurance claims. Risk management requirement for insurance claims Amount backed by bank credit facility Amount backed by bank credit facility. Amount backed by bank credit facility Asset Retirement Obligations (Tables) [Abstract] Asset Retirement Obligations Tables Abstract. Aro Operating Costs [Text Block] ARO operating costs ARO operating costs. Reconciliations of Aro [Text Block] Reconciliations of ARO Reconciliations of ARO. Asset Retirement Obligation (Details) [Abstract] Asset Retirement Obligation Details Abstract. Aro Operating Costs [Abstract] ARO Operating Costs Aro Operating Costs Abstract. Asset Retirement Obligation Balance at end of period Balance at beginning of period Asset Retirement Obligation, Revision of Estimate Revisions up (down) Asset Retirement Obligation, Accretion Expense Accretion Accretion expense Asset Retirement Obligation, Liabilities Settled Liabilities settled Asset Retirement Obligation, Liabilities Incurred Liabilities incurred