SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Supplemental Information Referable to Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION [Abstract]
Interest (exclusive of amount capitalized)		$ 81,474	$ 75,058
Income taxes		122,069	72,544
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: Operating lease liabilities	[1]	272,566	46,979
Recognition of new and revised right-of-use (ROU) assets for: 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
Amounts referable to business acquisitions (excluding AROs and ROU assets), Consideration payable to seller		0	8,980
Amounts referable to business acquisitions (excluding AROs and ROU assets), Fair value of noncash assets and liabilities exchanged		0	21,214
Debt issued for purchases of property, plant & equipment		$ 0	$ 2,571

[1] The 2021 amounts include leases assumed in the acquisition of U.S. Concrete (see Note 16).