Net Sales and Gross Profit by Line of Business (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Product Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 1,038,344	$ 1,005,218	$ 2,687,740	$ 2,487,342
Gross profit (loss)	292,568	262,505	683,903	536,918
Corporate
Product Information [Line Items]
Gross profit (loss)	(3,193)	(6,910)	(8,604)	(16,528)
Aggregates
Product Information [Line Items]
Net sales	542,764	529,993	1,465,486	1,343,821
Gross profit (loss)	172,994	166,166	418,428	344,857
Asphalt and Paving
Product Information [Line Items]
Net sales	111,566	97,840	188,532	172,631
Gross profit (loss)	30,400	22,057	37,114	25,173
Ready Mixed Concrete
Product Information [Line Items]
Net sales	263,680	209,608	665,353	486,931
Gross profit (loss)	39,832	23,557	83,210	34,981
Aggregates Business
Product Information [Line Items]
Net sales	918,010	837,441	2,319,371	2,003,383
Gross profit (loss)	243,226	211,780	538,752	405,011
Cement
Product Information [Line Items]
Net sales	60,090	110,519	189,754	307,489
Gross profit (loss)	29,725	38,244	86,283	87,642
Magnesia Specialties
Product Information [Line Items]
Net sales	60,244	57,258	178,615	176,470
Gross profit (loss)	$ 22,810	$ 19,391	$ 67,472	$ 60,793