SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION [Abstract]
Supplemental Information Referable to Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	Nine Months Ended September 30in thousands2021 2020 Cash Payments Interest (exclusive of amount capitalized)$       81,474  $       75,058  Income taxes 122,069  72,544  Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Accrued liabilities for purchases of property, plant & equipment$       27,486  $       16,765  Recognition of new and revised asset retirement obligations (AROs) 15,647  50,402  Recognition of new and revised right-of-use (ROU) assets for 1 Operating lease liabilities 272,566  46,979  Finance lease liabilities 117,841  5,817  Amounts referable to business acquisitions (excluding AROs and ROU assets) Liabilities assumed (excluding lease liabilities) 687,561  5,637  Consideration payable to seller 0  8,980  Fair value of noncash assets and liabilities exchanged 0  21,214  Debt issued for purchases of property, plant & equipment 0  2,571  1The 2021 amounts include leases assumed in the acquisition of U.S. Concrete (see Note 16).