Inventories and natural gas in storage (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Aggregates held for resale	$ 123,316	$ 115,471	$ 130,544
Asphalt oil	46,852	29,103	42,591
Materials and supplies	22,657	18,372	20,765
Merchandise for resale	16,164	16,437	18,439
Natural gas in storage (current)	14,126	25,761	19,689
Other	26,755	33,129	33,821
Total	249,870	238,273	265,849
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.

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+ 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=82887183&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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