Goodwill (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, gross carrying amount, beginning balance		$ 3,349,680,000	$ 3,339,380,000
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)		(252,664,000)
Goodwill, accumulated impairment losses, ending balance		(252,664,000)	(252,664,000)		(252,664,000)
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses		3,086,716,000	3,086,716,000	3,097,016,000
Aggregates
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, gross carrying amount, beginning balance		3,005,383,000	2,995,083,000
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		0
Goodwill, accumulated impairment losses, ending balance		0	0		0
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses		2,995,083,000	2,995,083,000	3,005,383,000
Concrete
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, gross carrying amount, beginning balance		0	0
Goodwill of divested businesses		0
Goodwill, gross carrying amount, ending balance		0	0
Goodwill, accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance			0		0
Goodwill, accumulated impairment losses, ending balance		0	0		0
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses		0	0	0
Asphalt Mix
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, gross carrying amount, beginning balance		91,633,000	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		0
Goodwill, accumulated impairment losses, ending balance		0	0		0
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses		91,633,000	91,633,000	91,633,000
Cement
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, gross carrying amount, beginning balance		252,664,000	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)		(252,664,000)
Goodwill, accumulated impairment losses, ending balance		(252,664,000)	(252,664,000)		(252,664,000)
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses		$ 0	$ 0	$ 0