Financial Data for Continuing Operations for Corporations Reportable Business Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 665,320	$ 592,268	$ 1,610,555	$ 1,529,643
Net Sales	600,457	537,507	1,451,848	1,376,944
Earnings (Loss) from operations	108,843	91,533	155,157	115,944
Total Aggregates Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	604,704	538,195	1,428,366	1,364,018
Net Sales	544,663	488,060	1,284,253	1,225,318
Earnings (Loss) from operations	97,335	76,571	125,795	109,162
Specialty Products
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	60,616	54,073	182,189	165,625
Net Sales	55,794	49,447	167,595	151,626
Earnings (Loss) from operations	17,267	17,034	53,071	52,706
Mid-America Group
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	237,696	212,164	555,823	538,881
Net Sales	216,361	194,128	508,999	493,453
Earnings (Loss) from operations	66,419	56,357	102,342	94,959
Southeast Group
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	69,491	61,369	185,676	184,448
Net Sales	64,871	57,021	171,456	171,027
Earnings (Loss) from operations	(1,386)	(3,452)	(14,949)	(14,980)
West Group
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	297,517	264,662	686,867	640,689
Net Sales	263,431	236,911	603,798	560,838
Earnings (Loss) from operations	32,302	23,666	38,402	29,183
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Earnings (Loss) from operations	$ (5,759)	$ (2,072)	$ (23,709)	$ (45,924)