Financial Data for Continuing Operations for Corporations Reportable Business Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 385,000	$ 393,974
Net sales	345,150	350,532
Earnings (Loss) from operations, Total	(23,557)	(35,327)
Total Aggregates Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	324,770	337,671
Net sales	289,981	298,816
Earnings (Loss) from operations, Total	(30,712)	(23,456)
Specialty Products
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	60,230	56,303
Net sales	55,169	51,716
Earnings (Loss) from operations, Total	17,078	18,221
Mid-America Group
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	114,594	124,930
Net sales	106,233	114,614
Earnings (Loss) from operations, Total	(11,028)	(5,224)
Southeast Group
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	55,743	60,054
Net sales	51,323	55,158
Earnings (Loss) from operations, Total	(8,386)	(5,905)
West Group
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	154,433	152,687
Net sales	132,425	129,044
Earnings (Loss) from operations, Total	(11,298)	(12,327)
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Earnings (Loss) from operations, Total	$ (9,923)	$ (30,092)