Financial Data for Continuing Operations for Corporations Reportable Business Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 428,629	$ 383,909
Net Sales	379,678	344,059
Earnings (Loss) from operations, Total	(15,898)	(23,320)
Total Aggregates Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	366,315	323,679
Net Sales	322,330	288,890
Earnings (Loss) from operations, Total	(15,796)	(30,475)
Specialty Products
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	62,314	60,230
Net Sales	57,348	55,169
Earnings (Loss) from operations, Total	16,285	17,078
Mid-America Group
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	115,708	119,541
Net Sales	106,533	110,188
Earnings (Loss) from operations, Total	(11,766)	(13,963)
Southeast Group
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	59,820	55,742
Net Sales	55,381	51,323
Earnings (Loss) from operations, Total	(6,111)	(8,386)
West Group
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	190,787	148,396
Net Sales	160,416	127,379
Earnings (Loss) from operations, Total	2,081	(8,126)
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Earnings (Loss) from operations, Total	$ (16,387)	$ (9,923)