Inventories and natural gas in storage (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Aggregates held for resale	$ 120,392	$ 115,471	$ 127,101
Asphalt oil	50,538	29,103	52,065
Materials and supplies	22,074	18,372	21,645
Merchandise for resale	16,546	16,437	17,441
Natural gas in storage (current)	11,282	25,761	11,305
Other	29,777	33,129	30,199
Total	250,609	238,273	259,756
Natural gas in storage noncurrent	$ 49,500	$ 49,500	$ 49,100

Aggregated amount of aggregates held for resale. This amount is net of valuation reserves and adjustments.

No definition available.

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- Definition

Aggregated amount of asphalt oil inventory. This amount is net of valuation reserves and adjustments.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of natural gas in storage, which is a mixture of gases (liquefied or otherwise), used for fuel and manufacturing purposes, which is ready for sale.

+ References

+ Details

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- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount before valuation and LIFO reserves of completed merchandise or goods expected to be sold within one year or operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of natural gas stored underground in depleted gas reservoirs, aquifers, or salt caverns to meet future seasonal and peak load demands and also as insurance against unforeseen supply disruptions, and deemed to be a noncurrent asset because it is not expected to be used within 12 months or in the normal operating cycle.

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+ Details

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- Definition

Amount after valuation and LIFO reserves of inventory expected to be sold, or consumed within one year or operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.6(a))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 330
-SubTopic 10
-Section 35
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68049868&loc=d3e3927-108312

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28358313&loc=d3e6676-107765

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- Definition

Gross amount of unprocessed materials to be used in manufacturing or production process and supplies that will be consumed.

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+ Details

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- Definition

Amount, after of valuation reserves and allowances, of inventory, classified as other, expected to be sold, or consumed within one year or operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.6)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 330
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.BB)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011343&loc=d3e100047-122729

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