Goodwill (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment
Goodwill, gross carrying amount, beginning balance		$ 3,349,680,000
Goodwill of divested businesses	(10,300,000)	(10,300,000)
Goodwill, gross carrying amount, ending balance	3,339,380,000	3,339,380,000
Goodwill, accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance		(252,664,000)
Goodwill impairment loss		0
Goodwill, accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(252,664,000)	(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	3,086,716,000	3,086,716,000		3,096,300,000	[1]
Goodwill (Textuals)
Maximum total debt as a percentage of total capital	65.00%	65.00%
Total debt as a percentage of total capital	42.10%	42.10%	40.70%	40.70%
Aggregates [Member]
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment
Goodwill, gross carrying amount, beginning balance		3,005,383,000
Goodwill of divested businesses		(10,300,000)
Goodwill, gross carrying amount, ending balance	2,995,083,000	2,995,083,000
Goodwill, accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance		0
Goodwill impairment loss		0
Goodwill, accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0	0
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance		3,005,383,000
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	2,995,083,000	2,995,083,000
Concrete [Member]
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment
Goodwill, gross carrying amount, beginning balance		0
Goodwill of divested businesses		0
Goodwill, gross carrying amount, ending balance	0	0
Goodwill, accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance		0
Goodwill impairment loss		0
Goodwill, accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0	0
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance		0
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0	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 divested businesses		0
Goodwill, gross carrying amount, ending balance	91,633,000	91,633,000
Goodwill, accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance		0
Goodwill impairment loss		0
Goodwill, accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0	0
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance		91,633,000
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	91,633,000	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 divested businesses		0
Goodwill, gross carrying amount, ending balance	252,664,000	252,664,000
Goodwill, accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance		(252,664,000)
Goodwill impairment loss		0
Goodwill, accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(252,664,000)	(252,664,000)
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance		0
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	$ 0	$ 0

[1] As Restated, See Note 1