Financial Data for Continuing Operations for the Corporations Reportable Business Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting Information
Total revenues	$ 545,717	$ 462,391	$ 939,695	$ 790,334
Net Sales	491,220	409,565	841,757	700,201
(Loss) Earnings from operations	59,263	64,701	23,940	60,253
Total Aggregates Business
Segment Reporting Information
Total revenues	490,468	408,202	828,144	682,546
Net Sales	440,758	359,965	739,579	601,460
(Loss) Earnings from operations	55,572	48,820	32,120	34,002
Specialty Products
Segment Reporting Information
Total revenues	55,249	54,189	111,551	107,788
Net Sales	50,462	49,600	102,178	98,741
(Loss) Earnings from operations	17,451	19,281	35,672	34,410
Mideast Group
Segment Reporting Information
Total revenues	119,767	116,043	204,211	192,123
Net Sales	109,662	107,330	186,846	178,670
(Loss) Earnings from operations	23,770	23,100	22,920	25,152
Southeast Group
Segment Reporting Information
Total revenues	79,388	84,677	152,900	152,255
Net Sales	73,748	77,965	141,274	140,675
(Loss) Earnings from operations	(2,262)	(637)	(5,989)	(4,834)
West Group
Segment Reporting Information
Total revenues	291,313	207,482	471,033	338,168
Net Sales	257,348	174,670	411,459	282,115
(Loss) Earnings from operations	34,064	26,357	15,189	13,684
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information
(Loss) Earnings from operations	$ (13,760)	$ (3,400)	$ (43,852)	$ (8,159)