SEGMENT REPORTING (Segment Financial Disclosure) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 696,078		$ 648,890		$ 1,200,632		$ 1,148,741
Delivery revenues	42,655		45,246		76,263		81,277
Total revenues	738,733		694,136		1,276,895		1,230,018
Gross profit	132,895		105,939		150,550		127,897
Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization	76,961		84,116		152,557		169,283
Aggregates
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	464,000	[1]	431,900	[1]	789,400	[1]	756,400	[1]
Gross profit	127,100		111,800		151,900		145,900
Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization	56,600	[2]	61,700	[2]	112,500	[2]	124,000	[2]
Aggregates | Segments Revenues[Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	508,400	[1]	471,100	[1]	867,400	[1]	826,800	[1]
Aggregates | Intersegment Sales [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	(44,400)	[1]	(39,200)	[1]	(78,000)	[1]	(70,400)	[1]
Concrete
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	120,300	[3]	102,600	[3]	220,200	[3]	194,600	[3]
Gross profit	(5,800)		(9,000)		(15,900)		(21,300)
Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization	8,200	[2]	10,400	[2]	16,200	[2]	21,600	[2]
Concrete | Segments Revenues[Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	120,300	[3]	103,000	[3]	220,200	[3]	195,500	[3]
Concrete | Intersegment Sales [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	0	[3]	(400)	[3]	0	[3]	(900)	[3]
Asphalt Mix
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	99,900		103,700		167,200		175,000
Gross profit	9,200		5,100		11,200		4,500
Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization	2,100	[2]	2,200	[2]	4,200	[2]	4,500	[2]
Asphalt Mix | Segments Revenues[Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	99,900		103,700		167,200		175,000
Cement
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	11,900	[4]	10,700	[4]	23,800	[4]	22,700	[4]
Gross profit	2,400		(2,000)		3,400		(1,200)
Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization	4,400	[2]	3,700	[2]	8,300	[2]	7,800	[2]
Cement | Segments Revenues[Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	23,800	[4]	20,300	[4]	46,500	[4]	40,800	[4]
Cement | Intersegment Sales [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	(11,900)	[4]	(9,600)	[4]	(22,700)	[4]	(18,100)	[4]
Other unallocated
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization	$ 5,700	[2]	$ 6,100	[2]	$ 11,400	[2]	$ 11,400	[2]

[1] Includes crushed stone, sand and gravel, sand, other aggregates, as well as transportation and service revenues associated with the aggregates business.

[2] The allocation of indirect depreciation to our operating segments was changed in the fourth quarter of 2012 to better align the presentation with how management views information internally. The 2012 DDA&A amounts presented above have been revised to conform to the 2013 presentation.

[3] Includes ready-mixed concrete, concrete block, precast concrete, as well as building materials purchased for resale.

[4] Includes cement and calcium products.