Asset Employed for Continuing Operations for Corporations Reportable Business Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets employed, Total	$ 7,338,858	$ 3,259,826	$ 3,337,105
Total Aggregates Business
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets employed, Total	3,815,359	2,884,899	2,961,016
Cement
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets employed, Total	3,038,802
Specialty Products
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets employed, Total	150,068	154,024	153,334
Mid-America Group
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets employed, Total	1,313,472	1,242,394	1,270,025
Southeast Group
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets employed, Total	604,261	611,906	628,805
West Group
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets employed, Total	1,897,626	1,030,599	1,062,186
Corporate
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets employed, Total	$ 334,629	$ 220,903	$ 222,755