Asset Employed for Continuing Operations for Corporations Reportable Business Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	$ 3,154,775	$ 3,160,926	$ 3,182,117
Total Aggregates Business
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	2,765,715	2,791,739	2,821,176
Specialty Products
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	154,688	157,673	132,709
Mid-America Group
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	1,035,715	1,036,155	1,059,794
Southeast Group
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	588,412	607,705	617,217
West Group
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	1,141,588	1,147,879	1,144,165
Corporate
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	$ 234,372	$ 211,514	$ 228,232