Property and Equipment, Net (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	$ 1,182,148	$ 1,201,180	$ 1,220,530
Accumulated depreciation and depletion	728,326	727,573	729,167
Property and equipment, net	453,822	473,607	491,363
Land and land improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	122,728	120,342	123,278
Quarry property [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	175,431	174,231	175,048
Building and leasehold improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	81,217	85,655	89,401
Equipment and vehicles [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	753,776	778,443	791,449
Office furniture and equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	$ 48,996	$ 42,509	$ 41,354