SEGMENT REPORTING (Segment Financial Disclosure) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 775,183		$ 687,616		$ 1,975,814		$ 1,836,357
Delivery revenues	38,385		41,245		114,649		122,522
Total revenues	813,568		728,861		2,090,463		1,958,879
Gross profit	158,983		126,923		309,533		254,820
Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization	78,320		84,108		230,877		253,391
Aggregates
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	504,700	[1]	448,600	[1]	1,294,100	[1]	1,205,000	[1]
Gross profit	149,800		124,900		301,700		270,800
Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization	56,700	[2]	59,600	[2]	169,200	[2]	183,700	[2]
Aggregates | Segments Revenues[Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	561,200	[1]	491,100	[1]	1,428,600	[1]	1,317,900	[1]
Aggregates | Intersegment Sales [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	(56,500)	[1]	(42,500)	[1]	(134,500)	[1]	(112,900)	[1]
Concrete
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	129,700	[3]	108,700	[3]	349,900	[3]	303,300	[3]
Gross profit	(3,900)		(8,500)		(19,800)		(29,900)
Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization	8,400	[2]	10,500	[2]	24,500	[2]	32,100	[2]
Concrete | Segments Revenues[Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	129,700	[3]	108,700	[3]	349,900	[3]	303,300	[3]
Asphalt Mix
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	127,900		118,200		295,100		293,300
Gross profit	13,600		10,900		24,800		15,500
Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization	2,200	[2]	2,100	[2]	6,400	[2]	6,600	[2]
Asphalt Mix | Segments Revenues[Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	127,900		118,200		295,100		293,300
Cement
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	12,900	[4]	12,100	[4]	36,700	[4]	34,800	[4]
Gross profit	(500)		(400)		2,800		(1,600)
Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization	5,400	[2]	5,800	[2]	13,800	[2]	13,500	[2]
Cement | Segments Revenues[Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	25,100	[4]	22,700	[4]	71,600	[4]	63,600	[4]
Cement | Intersegment Sales [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	(12,200)	[4]	(10,600)	[4]	(34,900)	[4]	(28,800)	[4]
Other unallocated
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization	$ 5,600	[2]	$ 6,100	[2]	$ 17,000	[2]	$ 17,500	[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.