Goodwill (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment
Goodwill, gross carrying amount, beginning balance	$ 3,349,680,000
Goodwill of acquired businesses	0
Goodwill, gross carrying amount, ending balance	3,349,680,000
Goodwill, accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(252,664,000)
Goodwill impairment losses	0
Goodwill, accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(252,664,000)
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	3,097,016,000	3,096,300,000	[1]
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	3,097,016,000	3,096,300,000	[1]
Aggregates [Member]
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment
Goodwill, gross carrying amount, beginning balance	3,005,383,000
Goodwill of acquired businesses	0
Goodwill, gross carrying amount, ending balance	3,005,383,000
Goodwill, accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	0
Goodwill impairment losses	0
Goodwill, accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	3,005,383,000
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	3,005,383,000
Concrete [Member]
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment
Goodwill, gross carrying amount, beginning balance	0
Goodwill of acquired businesses	0
Goodwill, gross carrying amount, ending balance	0
Goodwill, accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	0
Goodwill impairment losses	0
Goodwill, accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	0
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0
Asphalt mix [Member]
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment
Goodwill, gross carrying amount, beginning balance	91,633,000
Goodwill of acquired businesses	0
Goodwill, gross carrying amount, ending balance	91,633,000
Goodwill, accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	0
Goodwill impairment losses	0
Goodwill, accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	91,633,000
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	91,633,000
Cement [Member]
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment
Goodwill, gross carrying amount, beginning balance	252,664,000
Goodwill of acquired businesses	0
Goodwill, gross carrying amount, ending balance	252,664,000
Goodwill, accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(252,664,000)
Goodwill impairment losses	0
Goodwill, accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(252,664,000)
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	0
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	$ 0

[1] As Restated, See Note 1