Business Segments (Financial Data For Continuing Operations For The Corporation's Reportable Business Segments) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Total revenues	$ 492,952	$ 504,630	$ 849,464	$ 845,574
Net sales, Total	426,707	442,784	732,951	738,345
Earnings (Loss) from operations, Total	62,995	90,650	56,853	77,788
Mideast Group [Member]
Total revenues	134,485	141,696	225,808	231,038
Net sales, Total	124,279	131,573	209,734	214,918
Earnings (Loss) from operations, Total	27,858	39,463	33,561	41,560
Southeast Group [Member]
Total revenues	100,748	113,571	183,509	197,538
Net sales, Total	82,036	92,104	147,995	160,224
Earnings (Loss) from operations, Total	(7,303)	7,541	(17,060)	(1,558)
West Group [Member]
Total revenues	203,530	196,628	332,359	318,436
Net sales, Total	170,792	171,218	276,481	273,588
Earnings (Loss) from operations, Total	26,559	32,974	14,101	20,713
Corporate [Member]
Earnings (Loss) from operations, Total	(3,400)	(6,140)	(8,159)	(10,951)
Total Aggregates Business [Member]
Total revenues	438,763	451,895	741,676	747,012
Net sales, Total	377,107	394,895	634,210	648,730
Earnings (Loss) from operations, Total	47,114	79,978	30,602	60,715
Specialty Products [Member]
Total revenues	54,189	52,735	107,788	98,562
Net sales, Total	49,600	47,889	98,741	89,615
Earnings (Loss) from operations, Total	$ 19,281	$ 16,812	$ 34,410	$ 28,024