Asset Employed for Continuing Operations for Corporations Reportable Business Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets employed, Total	$ 3,356,043	$ 3,259,826	$ 3,231,119
Total Aggregates Business
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets employed, Total	3,003,084	2,884,899	2,851,255
Specialty Products
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets employed, Total	151,129	154,024	153,542
Mid-America Group
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets employed, Total	1,311,860	1,242,394	1,185,684
Southeast Group
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets employed, Total	606,933	611,906	588,094
West Group
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets employed, Total	1,084,291	1,030,599	1,077,477
Corporate
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets employed, Total	$ 201,830	$ 220,903	$ 226,322