GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill by Reportable Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning balance	$ 3,094,824		$ 3,094,824
Goodwill of acquired businesses	27,497	[1]
Goodwill, Ending balance	3,122,321		3,094,824
Aggregates [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning balance	3,003,191		3,003,191
Goodwill of acquired businesses	27,497	[1]
Goodwill, Ending balance	3,030,688		3,003,191
Asphalt [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning balance	91,633		91,633
Goodwill of acquired businesses	0	[1]
Goodwill, Ending balance	91,633		91,633
Concrete [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning balance	0		0
Goodwill of acquired businesses	0	[1]
Goodwill, Ending balance	0		0
Calcium [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning balance	0		0
Goodwill of acquired businesses	0	[1]
Goodwill, Ending balance	$ 0		$ 0

[1] See Note 19 for a summary of the current year acquisitions