Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill by Reportable Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, gross carrying amount, beginning balance	$ 3,339,380
Goodwill of acquired businesses	9,759	[1]
Goodwill of divested businesses	(674)	[1]
Goodwill, gross carrying amount, ending balance	3,348,465
Goodwill, accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(252,664)		(252,664)
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses	3,095,801		3,086,716	3,086,716
Aggregates
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, gross carrying amount, beginning balance	2,995,083
Goodwill of acquired businesses	9,759	[1]
Goodwill of divested businesses	(674)	[1]
Goodwill, gross carrying amount, ending balance	3,004,168
Goodwill, accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	0		0
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses	3,004,168		2,995,083
Concrete
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, gross carrying amount, beginning balance	0
Goodwill of acquired businesses	0	[1]
Goodwill of divested businesses	0	[1]
Goodwill, gross carrying amount, ending balance	0
Goodwill, accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	0		0
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses	0		0
Asphalt Mix
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, gross carrying amount, beginning balance	91,633
Goodwill of acquired businesses	0	[1]
Goodwill of divested businesses	0	[1]
Goodwill, gross carrying amount, ending balance	91,633
Goodwill, accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	0		0
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses	91,633		91,633
Cement
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, gross carrying amount, beginning balance	252,664
Goodwill of acquired businesses	0	[1]
Goodwill of divested businesses	0	[1]
Goodwill, gross carrying amount, ending balance	252,664
Goodwill, accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(252,664)		(252,664)
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses	$ 0		$ 0

[1] The goodwill of acquired/divested businesses relates to the 2013 acquisitions/divestitures discussed in Note 16.