Asset Employed for Continuing Operations for Corporations Reportable Business Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	$ 3,337,105	$ 3,160,926	$ 3,243,204
Total Aggregates Business
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	2,962,718	2,791,739	2,877,038
Specialty Products
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	153,334	157,673	154,155
Mid-America Group
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	1,161,756	1,036,155	1,074,451
Southeast Group
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	628,673	607,705	614,214
West Group
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	1,172,289	1,147,879	1,188,373
Corporate
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	$ 221,053	$ 211,514	$ 212,011