Financial Data for Continuing Operations for the Corporations Reportable Business Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting Information
Total revenues	$ 593,901	$ 502,386	$ 1,533,596	$ 1,292,720
Net Sales	539,140	445,003	1,380,897	1,145,204
(Loss) Earnings from operations	91,095	80,011	115,034	140,264
Total Aggregates Business
Segment Reporting Information
Total revenues	539,828	447,185	1,367,971	1,129,730
Net Sales	489,693	394,661	1,229,271	996,120
(Loss) Earnings from operations	76,133	70,350	108,252	104,351
Specialty Products
Segment Reporting Information
Total revenues	54,073	55,201	165,625	162,990
Net Sales	49,447	50,342	151,626	149,084
(Loss) Earnings from operations	17,034	15,573	52,706	49,984
Mideast Group
Segment Reporting Information
Total revenues	130,111	128,342	334,322	320,464
Net Sales	118,140	116,637	304,986	295,306
(Loss) Earnings from operations	31,365	28,070	54,284	53,222
Southeast Group
Segment Reporting Information
Total revenues	77,424	83,797	230,324	236,052
Net Sales	71,828	76,685	213,101	217,360
(Loss) Earnings from operations	482	2,796	(5,508)	(2,039)
West Group
Segment Reporting Information
Total revenues	332,293	235,046	803,325	573,214
Net Sales	299,725	201,339	711,184	483,454
(Loss) Earnings from operations	44,286	39,484	59,476	53,168
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information
(Loss) Earnings from operations	$ (2,072)	$ (5,912)	$ (45,924)	$ (14,071)