Vulcan Materials (VMC) 10-K 24 Feb 17 2016 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Feb. 14, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	VMC
Entity Registrant Name	Vulcan Materials CO
Entity Central Index Key	1,396,009
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		132,355,703
Entity Public Float			$ 15,976,104,960

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME [Abstract]
Total revenues	$ 3,592,667	$ 3,422,181	$ 2,994,169
Cost of revenues	2,591,850	2,564,648	2,406,587
Gross profit	1,000,817	857,533	587,582
Selling, administrative and general expenses	314,986	286,844	272,288
Gain on sale of property, plant & equipment and businesses	15,431	9,927	244,222
Business interruption claims recovery	11,652	0	0
Impairment of long-lived assets	(10,506)	(5,190)	(3,095)
Other operating expense, net	(22,826)	(25,648)	(18,283)
Operating earnings	679,582	549,778	538,138
Other nonoperating income (expense), net	944	(1,678)	3,107
Interest income	807	345	960
Interest expense	134,076	220,588	243,367
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes	547,257	327,857	298,838
Income tax expense
Current	94,254	89,340	74,039
Deferred	30,597	5,603	17,653
Total income tax expense	124,851	94,943	91,692
Earnings from continuing operations	422,406	232,914	207,146
Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax (Note 2)	(2,915)	(11,737)	(2,223)
Net earnings	419,491	221,177	204,923
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Reclassification adjustment for cash flow hedges	1,194	5,828	4,856
Adjustment for funded status of benefit plans	(20,583)	23,832	(69,051)
Amortization of actuarial loss and prior service cost for benefit plans	82	11,985	2,112
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(19,307)	41,645	(62,083)
Comprehensive income	$ 400,184	$ 262,822	$ 142,840
Basic earnings (loss) per share
Continuing operations	$ 3.17	$ 1.75	$ 1.58
Discontinued operations	(0.02)	(0.09)	(0.02)
Net earnings	3.15	1.66	1.56
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
Continuing operations	3.11	1.72	1.56
Discontinued operations	(0.02)	(0.08)	(0.02)
Net earnings	$ 3.09	$ 1.64	$ 1.54
Weighted-average common shares outstanding
Basic	133,205	133,210	131,461
Assuming dilution	135,790	135,093	132,991

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 258,986	$ 284,060
Restricted cash	9,033	1,150
Accounts and notes receivable
Customers, less allowance for doubtful accounts 2016 — $2,813; 2015 — $5,576	398,488	397,287
Other	93,333	20,737
Inventories	345,616	347,073
Prepaid expenses	31,726	34,284
Total current assets	1,137,182	1,084,591
Investments and long-term receivables	39,226	40,558
Property, plant & equipment, net	3,261,438	3,156,290
Goodwill	3,094,824	3,094,824
Other intangible assets, net	769,052	766,579
Other noncurrent assets	169,753	158,790
Total assets	8,471,475	8,301,632
Liabilities
Current maturities of long-term debt	138	130
Trade payables and accruals	145,042	175,729
Accrued salaries, wages and management incentives	91,455	91,440
Accrued interest	9,751	9,752
Other current liabilities	125,858	76,428
Total current liabilities	372,244	353,479
Long-term debt	1,982,751	1,980,334
Deferred income taxes, net	702,854	681,096
Deferred management incentive and other compensation	19,698	15,980
Pension benefits	247,784	233,661
Other postretirement benefits	39,533	42,318
Asset retirement obligations	223,872	226,594
Deferred revenue	198,388	207,660
Other noncurrent liabilities	111,875	106,322
Total liabilities	3,898,999	3,847,444
Other commitments and contingencies (Note 12)
Equity
Common stock, $1 par value - Authorized 480,000 shares, Outstanding 132,339 and 133,172 shares, respectively	132,339	133,172
Capital in excess of par value	2,807,995	2,822,578
Retained earnings	1,771,518	1,618,507
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(139,376)	(120,069)
Total equity	4,572,476	4,454,188
Total liabilities and equity	$ 8,471,475	$ 8,301,632

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS [Abstract]
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 2,813	$ 5,576
Common stock, par value	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, shares authorized	480,000,000	480,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	132,339,000	133,172,000

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Operating Activities
Net earnings	$ 419,491	$ 221,177	$ 204,923
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization	284,940	274,823	279,497
Net gain on sale of property, plant & equipment and businesses	(15,431)	(9,927)	(244,222)
Contributions to pension plans	(9,576)	(14,047)	(5,488)
Share-based compensation expense	20,670	18,248	23,884
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	0	(18,376)	(3,464)
Deferred tax expense (benefit)	33,591	3,069	18,378
Cost of debt purchase	0	67,075	72,949
(Increase) decrease in assets excluding the initial effects of business acquisitions and dispositions
Accounts and notes receivable	(72,763)	(42,164)	(25,118)
Inventories	1,625	(20,925)	(5,595)
Prepaid expenses	2,558	(5,288)	(6,256)
Other assets	(18,236)	34,863	(13,930)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities excluding the initial effects of business acquisitions and dispositions
Accrued interest and income taxes	(7,187)	26,605	(3,840)
Trade payables and other accruals	30,353	26,491	4,229
Other noncurrent liabilities	(29,138)	(42,702)	(42,810)
Other, net	3,691	616	7,870
Net cash provided by operating activities	644,588	519,538	261,007
Investing Activities
Purchases of property, plant & equipment	(350,148)	(289,262)	(224,852)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant & equipment	23,318	8,218	26,028
Proceeds from sale of businesses, net of transaction costs	0	0	721,359
Payment for businesses acquired, net of acquired cash	(32,537)	(27,198)	(284,237)
Increase in restricted cash	(7,883)	(1,150)	0
Other, net	2,173	(350)	33
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities	(365,077)	(309,742)	238,331
Financing Activities
Proceeds from line of credit	3,000	441,000	93,000
Payment of line of credit	(3,000)	(206,000)	(93,000)
Payment of current maturities and long-term debt	(130)	(695,060)	(579,829)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	0	400,000	0
Debt and line of credit issuance costs	(1,860)	(7,382)	0
Purchases of common stock	(161,463)	(21,475)	0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	0	0	30,620
Dividends paid	(106,333)	(53,214)	(28,884)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	0	72,971	23,502
Share-based compensation, shares withheld for taxes	(34,797)	(16,160)	(671)
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	0	18,376	3,464
Other, net	(2)	(65)	(5)
Net cash used for financing activities	(304,585)	(67,009)	(551,803)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(25,074)	142,787	(52,465)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	284,060	141,273	193,738
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 258,986	$ 284,060	$ 141,273

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUI

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Common Stock [Member]	Capital In Excess Of Par Value [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Total
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2013	130,200,000
Balance at beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 130,200	$ 2,611,703	$ 1,295,834	$ (99,631)	$ 3,938,106
Net earnings	$ 0	0	204,923	0	$ 204,923
Common stock issued
Acquisitions, shares	715,000				715,004
Acquisitions	$ 715	44,470	0	0	$ 45,185
401(k) Trustee (Note 13), shares	485,000				485,306
401(k) Trustee (Note 13)	$ 485	30,135	0	0	$ 30,620
Share-based compensation plans, net of shares withheld for taxes, shares	507,000
Share-based compensation plans, net of shares withheld for taxes	$ 507	20,982	0	0	21,489
Share-based compensation expense	0	23,884	0	0	23,884
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	0	3,464	0	0	3,464
Cash dividends on common stock	0	0	(28,884)	0	(28,884)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	0	(62,083)	(62,083)
Other	$ 0	23	(28)	0	(5)
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2014	131,907,000
Balance at end of year at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 131,907	2,734,661	1,471,845	(161,714)	4,176,699
Net earnings	$ 0	0	221,177	0	221,177
Common stock issued
Share-based compensation plans, net of shares withheld for taxes, shares	1,493,000
Share-based compensation plans, net of shares withheld for taxes	$ 1,493	51,240	0	0	52,733
Purchase and retirement of common stock, shares	(228,000)
Purchase and retirement of common stock	$ (228)	0	(21,247)	0	(21,475)
Share-based compensation expense	0	18,248	0	0	18,248
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	0	18,376	0	0	18,376
Cash dividends on common stock	0	0	(53,214)	0	(53,214)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	0	41,645	41,645
Other	$ 0	53	(54)	0	(1)
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2015	133,172,000
Balance at end of year at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 133,172	2,822,578	1,618,507	(120,069)	4,454,188
Net earnings	$ 0	0	419,491	0	419,491
Common stock issued
Share-based compensation plans, net of shares withheld for taxes, shares	594,000
Share-based compensation plans, net of shares withheld for taxes	$ 594	(35,363)	0	0	(34,769)
Purchase and retirement of common stock, shares	(1,427,000)
Purchase and retirement of common stock	$ (1,427)	0	(160,036)	0	(161,463)
Share-based compensation expense	0	20,670	0	0	20,670
Cash dividends on common stock	0	0	(106,333)	0	(106,333)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	0	(19,307)	(19,307)
Other	$ 0	110	(111)	0	(1)
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2016	132,339,000
Balance at end of year at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 132,339	$ 2,807,995	$ 1,771,518	$ (139,376)	$ 4,572,476

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQU7

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY [Abstract]
Cash dividends on common stock, per share	$ 0.80	$ 0.40	$ 0.22

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTI

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTE 1: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES NATURE OF OPERATIONS Vulcan Materials Company (the "Company," "Vulcan," "we," "our"), a New Jersey corporation, i s t he nation's largest supplier of construction aggregates (primarily crushed stone, sand and gravel) and a major producer of asphalt mix and ready-mixed concrete. We serve markets in twenty states, Washington D.C., and the local markets surrounding our operations in Mexico and the Bahamas. Our primary focus is serving states in metropolitan markets in the United States that are expected to experience the most significant growth in population, households and employment. These three demographic factors are significant drivers of demand for aggregates. While aggregates is our focus and primary business, we produce and sell asphalt mix and/or ready-mixed concrete in our mid-Atlantic, Georgia, Southwestern and Western markets. Due to the 2005 sale of our Chemicals business as described in Note 2, the results of the Chemicals business are presented as discontinued operations in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Vulcan Materials Company and all our majority or wholly-owned subsidiary companies. All intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation. USE OF ESTIMATES IN THE PREPARATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The preparation of these financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted (GAAP) in the United States of America requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the related disclosures of contingent assets and contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements. We evaluate these estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis and base our estimates on historical experience, current conditions and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The results of these estimates form the basis for our judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities as well as identifying and assessing the accounting treatment with respect to commitments and contingencies. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates. The most significant estimates included in the preparation of these financial statements are related to goodwill and long-lived asset impairment s, p ension and other postretirement benefits, environmental compliance, claims and litigation including self-insurance, and income taxes. BUSINESS COMBINA TIO NS We account for business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting. The total cost of acquisitions is allocated to the underlying identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their respective fair values. Determining the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires judgment and often involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS The U. S . dollar is the functional currency for all of our operations. For our non-U.S. subsidiaries, local currency inventories and long-term assets such as property, plant & equipment and intangibles are remeasured into U.S. dollars at approximate rates prevailing when acquired; all other assets and liabilities are remeasured at year-end exchange rates. Inventories charged to cost of sales and depreciation are remeasured at historical rates; all other income and expense items are remeasured at average exchange rates prevailing during the year. Gains and losses which result from remeasurement are included in earnings and are not material for the years presented. CASH EQUIVALENTS We classify as cash equivalents all highly liquid securities with a maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase. The carrying amount of these securities approximates fair value due to their short-term maturities. RESTRICTED CASH Restricted cash consists of cash proceeds from the sale of property held in escrow for the acquisition of replacement property under like-kind exchange agreements. The escrow accounts are administered by an intermediary. Pursuant to the like-kind exchange agreements, the cash remains restricted for a maximum of 180 days from the date of the property sale pending the acquisition of replacement property. Changes in restricted cash balances are reflected as an investment activity in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. ACCOUNTS AND NOTES RECEIVABLE Accounts and notes receivable from customers result from our extending credit to trade customers for the purchase of our products. The terms generally provide for payment within 30 days of being invoiced. On occasion, when necessary to conform to regional industry practices, we sell product under extended payment terms, which may result in either secured or unsecured short-term notes; or, on occasion, notes with durations of less than one year are taken in settlement of existing accounts receivable. Other accounts and notes receivable result from short-term transactions (less than one year) other than the sale of our products, such as interest receivable; insurance claims; freight claims; tax refund claims; bid deposits or rents receivable. Receivables are aged and appropriate allowances for doubtful accounts and bad debt expense are recorded. Bad debt expense (income) for the years ended December 31 was as follows: 2016 — $(1,190,000) , 2015 — $1,450,000 and 2014 — $2,031,000 . Write-offs of accounts receivables for the years ended December 31 were as follows: 2016 — $1,544,000 , 2015 — $1,483,000 and 2014 — $2,561,000 . The bad debt income in 2016 relates to the collection of previously reserved receivables primarily attributable to the 2014 sale of our Florida area concrete and cement businesses. INVENTORIES Inventories and supplies are stated at the lower of cost or market. We use the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method of valuation for most of our inventories because it results in a better matching of costs with revenues. Such costs include fuel, parts and supplies, raw materials, direct labor and production overhead. An actual valuation of inventory under the LIFO method can be made only at the end of each year based on the inventory levels and costs at that time. Accordingly, interim LIFO calculations are based on our estimates of expected year-end inventory levels and costs and are subject to the final year-end LIFO inventory valuation. Substantially all operating supplies inventory is carried at average cost. For additional information about our inventories see Note 3. PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT Property, plant & equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization. The cost of properties held under capital leases, if any, is equal to the lower of the net present value of the minimum lease payments or the fair value of the leased property at the inception of the lease. Capitalized software costs of $4,732,000 and $7,003,000 are reflected in net property, plant & equipment as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. We capitalized software costs for the years ended December 31 as follows: 2016 — $152,000 , 2015 — $1,482,000 and 2014 — $921,000 . For additional information about our property, plant & equipment see Note 4. REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE Repair and maintenance costs generally are charged to operating expense as incurred. Renewals and betterments that add materially to the utility or useful lives of property, plant & equipment are capitalized and subsequently depreciated. Actual costs for planned major maintenance activities, related primarily to periodic overhauls on our oceangoing vessels, are capitalized and amortized to the next overhaul. DEPRECIATION, DEPLETION, ACCRETION AND AMORTIZATION Depreciation is generally computed by the straight-line method at rates based on the estimated service lives of the various classes of assets, which include machinery and equipment ( 3 to 25 years), buildings ( 7 to 20 years) and land improvements ( 8 to 20 years). Capitalized software costs are included in machinery and equipment and are depreciated on a straight-line basis beginning when the software project is substantially complete. Cost depletion on depletable land is computed by the unit-of-production method based on estimated recoverable units. Accretion reflects the period-to-period increase in the carrying amount of the liability for asset retirement obligations. It is computed using the same credit-adjusted, risk-free rate used to initially measure the liability at fair value. Leaseholds are amortized over varying periods not in excess of applicable lease terms or estimated useful lives. Amortization of intangible assets subject to amortization is computed based on the estimated life of the intangible assets. A significant portion of our intangible assets is contractual rights in place associated with zoning, permitting and other rights to access and extract aggregates reserves. Contractual rights in place associated with aggregates reserves are amortized using the unit-of-production method based on estimated recoverable units. Other intangible assets are amortized principally by the straight-line method. Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization expense for the years ended December 31 is outlined below:     in thousands 2016 2015 2014  Depreciation, Depletion, Accretion and Amortization  Depreciation $ 238,237 $ 228,866 $ 239,611  Depletion 17,812 18,177 16,741  Accretion 11,059 11,474 11,601  Amortization of leaseholds 267 688 578  Amortization of intangibles 17,565 15,618 10,966  Total $ 284,940 $ 274,823 $ 279,497  DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS We periodically use derivative instruments to manage our mix of fixed-rate and floating-rate debt and to manage our exposure to currency exchange risk or price fluctuations on commodity energy sources consistent with our risk management policies. We do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes. Additional disclosures about our derivative instruments are presented in Note 5. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels as described below: Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities Level 2: Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data Level 3: Inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement Our assets at December 31 subject to fair value measurement on a recurring basis are summarized below:     Level 1 Fair Value  in thousands 2016 2015  Fair Value Recurring  Rabbi Trust  Mutual funds $ 6,883 $ 11,472  Equities 10,033 8,992  Total $ 16,916 $ 20,464     Level 2 Fair Value  in thousands 2016 2015  Fair Value Recurring  Rabbi Trust  Money market mutual fund $ 1,705 $ 2,124  Total $ 1,705 $ 2,124  We hav e t wo Rabbi Trusts for the purpose of providing a level of security for the employee nonqualified retirement and deferred compensation plans and for the directors' nonqualified deferred compensation plans. The fair values of these investments are estimated using a market approach. The Level 1 investments include mutual funds and equity securities for which quoted prices in active markets are available. Level 2 investments are stated at estimated fair value based on the underlying investments in the fund (short-term, highly liquid assets in commercial paper, short-term bonds and certificates of deposit). Net gains (losses) of the Rabbi Trust s’ investments were $2,741,000 , $(1,517,000) and $1,169,000 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The portions of the net gains (losses) related to investments still held by the Rabbi Trusts at December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were $1,599,000 , $(1,769,000) and $(1,049,000 ) , respectively. The 2016 decrease of $3,967,000 in total Rabbi Trust asset fair value s is primarily due t o s everal retired executives receiving distributions from the nonqualified retirement and deferred compensation plans. The carrying values of our cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts and notes receivable, short-term debt, trade payables and accruals, and all other current liabilities approximate their fair values because of the short-term nature of these instruments. Additional disclosures for derivative instruments and interest-bearing debt are presented in Notes 5 and 6, respectively. Assets subject to fair value measurement on a nonrecurring basis in 2016 and 2015 are summarized below:     Year ending December 31, 2016 Year ending December 31, 2015  Impairment Impairment  in thousands Level 2 Charges Level 2 Charges  Fair Value Nonrecurring  Property, plant & equipment $ 0 $ 1,359 $ 0 $ 2,176  Other intangible assets, net 0 8,180 0 2,858  Other assets 0 967 0 156  Totals $ 0 $ 10,506 $ 0 $ 5,190  We recorded $10,506,000 and $5,190,000 of losses on impairment of long-lived assets in 2016 and 2015, respectively, reducing the carrying value of these Aggregates segment assets to their estimated fair values of $0 and $0 . Fair value was estimated using a market approach (observed transactions involving comparable assets in similar locations). G OODWILL IMPAIRMENT Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of net assets acquired in business combinations over the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Goodwill impairment exists when the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. As of December 31, 2016, goodwill totaled $3,094,824, 000 , the same as at December 31, 2015. Goodwill represents 37% of total assets at December 31, 2016 , the same as at December 31, 2015. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually, as of November 1, or more frequently whenever events or changes in circumstances would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level, one level below our operating segments. We have four operating segments organized around our principal product lines: Aggregates, Asphalt Mix, Concrete and Calcium. Within these four operating segments, we have identified 18 reporting units (of which 9 carry goodwill) based primarily on geographic location. We have the option of either assessing qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the carrying value of our reporting units exceeds their respective fair value or proceeding directly to a two-step quantitative test. We elected to perform the quantitative impairment test for all years presented. The first step of the quantitative impairment test identifies potential impairment by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill of the reporting unit is not considered impaired and the second step of the impairment test is not required. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the impairment test is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. The second step of the quantitative impairment test compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by hypothetically allocating the fair value of the reporting unit to its identifiable assets and liabilities in a manner consistent with a business combination, with any excess fair value representing implied goodwill. If the carrying value of the reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. The results of the first step of the annual impairment tests performed as of November 1, 20 16 , 2015 and 2014 indicated that the fair values of all reporting units with goodwill substantially exceeded their carrying values. Accordingly, there were no charges for goodwill impairment in the years ended December 31, 20 16 , 2015 or 2014. We estimate the fair values of the reporting units using both an income approach (which involves discounting estimated future cash flows) and a market approach (which involves the application of revenue and EBITDA multiples of comparable companies). Determining the fair value of our reporting units involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions and considerable management judgment. We base our fair value estimates on assumptions we believe to be reasonable at the time, but such assumptions are subject to inherent uncertainty and actual results may differ. Changes in key assumptions or management judgment with respect to a reporting unit or its prospects, which may result from a change in market conditions, market trends, interest rates or other factors outside of our control, or underperformance relative to historical or projected operating results, could result in a significantly different estimate of the fair value of our reporting units, which could result in an impairment charge in the future. For additional information about goodwill see Note 18. IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS EXCLUDING GOODWILL We evaluate the carrying value of long-lived assets, including intangible assets subject to amortization, when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The carrying value of long-lived assets is considered impaired when the estimated undiscounted cash flows from such assets are less than their carrying value. In that event, we recognize a loss equal to the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value. Fair value is determined primarily by using a discounted cash flow methodology that requires considerable judgment and assumptions. Our estimate of net future cash flows is based on historical experience and assumptions of future trends, which may be different from actual results. We periodically review the appropriateness of the estimated useful lives of our long-lived assets. We test long-lived assets for impairment at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets. As a result, our long-lived asset impairment test is at a significantly lower level than the level at which we test goodwill for impairment. In markets where we do not produce downstream products (e.g., asphalt mix and ready-mixed concrete), the lowest level of largely independent identifiable cash flows is at the individual aggregates operation or a group of aggregates operations collectively serving a local market. Conversely, in vertically integrated markets, the cash flows of our downstream and upstream businesses are not largely independently identifiable as the selling price of the upstream products (aggregates) determines the profitability of the downstream business. As of December 31, 2016, net property, plant & equipment represents 39% of total assets, while net other intangible assets represents 9% of total assets. During 2016, we recorded a $10,506,000 loss on impairment of long-lived assets resulting from the termination of a nonstrategic aggregates lease and the write off of nonrecoverable project costs related to two Aggregates segment capital projects that we no longer intend to complete . During 2015, we recorded a $5,190,000 impairment loss related to exiting a lease for an aggregates site. During 2014, we recorded a $3,095,000 i mpairment loss related primarily to assets retained in the divestiture of our cement and concrete businesses in the Florida area (see Note 19). For additional information about long-lived assets and intangible assets see Notes 4 and 18. TOTAL REVENUES AND REVENUE RECOGNITION Total revenues include sales of product to customers, net of any discounts and taxes, and freight and delivery revenues billed to customers. Freight and delivery generally represents pass-through transportation we incur (including our administrative costs) and pay to third-party carriers to deliver our products to customers. The cost related to freight and delivery is included in cost of revenues. Revenue is recognized at the time the selling price is fixed, the product's title is transferred to the buyer and collectibility of the sales proceeds is reasonably assured (typically occurs when finished products are shipped to the customer). SALES TAXES Sales taxes collected from customers are recorded as liabilities (within other current liabilities) until remitted to taxing authorities and therefore, are not reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. DEFERRED REVENUE In 2013 and 2012, we sold a percentage interest in future production structured as volumetric production payments (VPPs). The VPPs: § relate to eight quarries in Georgia and South Carolina § provide the purchaser solely with a nonoperating percentage interest in the subject quarries’ future production from aggregates reserves § are both time and volume limited § contain no minimum annual or cumulative production or sales volume, nor minimum sales price Our consolidated total revenues excludes the sales of aggregates owned by the VPP purchaser. We received net cash proceeds from the sale of the VPPs of $153,282,000 and $73,644,000 for the 2013 and 2012 transactions, respectively. These proceeds were recorded as deferred revenue on the balance sheet and are amortized to revenue on a unit-of-sales basis over the terms of the VPPs (expected to be approximately 25 years, limited by volume rather than time). Reconciliation of the deferred revenue balances (current and noncurrent) is as follows:    in thousands 2016 2015 2014  Deferred Revenue  Balance at beginning of year $ 214,060 $ 219,968 $ 224,743  Cash received and revenue deferred 0 0 187  Amortization of deferred revenue (7,592) (5,908) (4,962)  Balance at end of year $ 206,468 $ 214,060 $ 219,968  Based on expected s ales from the specified quarries, we expect to recognize approximately $8,080,000 of deferred revenue as income i n 2 017 (reflected in other current liabilities in our 2016 Consolidated Balance Sheet). STRIPPING COSTS In the mining industry, the costs of removing overburden and waste materials to access mineral deposits are referred to as stripping costs. Stripping costs incurred during the production phase are considered costs of extracted minerals under our inventory costing system, inventoried, and recognized in cost of sales in the same period as the revenue from the sale of the inventory. The production stage is deemed to begin when the activities, including removal of overburden and waste material that may contain incidental saleable material, required to access the saleable product are complete. Stripping costs considered as production costs and included in the costs of inventory produced were $55,987,000 in 2016, $50,409,000 in 2015 and $44,896,000 in 2014. Conversely, stripping costs incurred during the development stage of a mine (pre-production stripping) are excluded from our inventory cost. Pre-production stripping costs are capitalized and reported within other noncurrent assets in our accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Capitalized pre-production stripping costs are expensed over the productive life of the mine using the unit-of-production method. Pre-production stripping costs included in other noncurrent assets were $70,227,000 as of December 31, 2016 and $61,369,000 as of December 31, 2015. This year-over-year inc rease resulted primarily from the removal of overburden at a greenfield site in California. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION We account for share-based compensation awards using fair-value-based measurement methods. These result in the recognition of compensation expense for all share-based compensation awards (less an estimate for forfeited awards) based on their fair value as of the grant date. Compensation cost is recognized over the requisite service period. A summary of the estimated future compensation cost (unrecognized compensation expense) as of December 31, 2016 related to share-based awards granted to employees under our long-term incentive plans is presented below:     Unrecognized Expected  Compensation Weighted-average  dollars in thousands Expense Recognition (Years)  Share-based Compensation  SOSARs 1 $ 4,899 1.8  Performance shares 20,965 2.4  Restricted shares 4,925 2.6  Total/weighted-average $ 30,789 2.3   1 Stock-Only Stock Appreciation Rights (SOSARs)  Pretax compensation expense related to our employee share-based compensation awards and related income tax benefits for the years ended December 31 are summarized below:     in thousands 2016 2015 2014  Employee Share-based Compensation Awards  Pretax compensation expense $ 17,823 $ 16,362 $ 22,217  Income tax benefits 6,925 6,347 8,571  EARLY ADOPTION OF ASU 2016-09 W e receive an income tax deduction for share-based compensation equal to the excess of the market value of our common stock on the date of exercise or issuance over the exercise price. Upon our early adoption of Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-09, t ax benefits resulting from tax deductions in excess of the compensation cost recognized (excess tax benefits) are reflected as discrete income tax benefits in the period of exercise or issuance. Before the adoption of this standard, excess tax benefits were recorded directly to equity (APIC). Net e xcess tax benefits of $24,847,000 are reflected as a reduction to our income tax expense for 2016 (see Note 9) . Gross excess tax benefits of $28,009,000 are classified as operating cas h f lows prospectively beginning in 2016 while gross excess tax benefits for 2015 and 2014 of $18,376,000 and $3,464,000 , respectively, are reflected as financing cash flows. Upon the adoption of this ASU, we revised our dilutive share calculation to exclude the assumption that proceeds from excess tax benefits would be used to purchase shares, resulting in an increase in dilutive shares as of December 31, 2016 of 773,101 . ASU 2016-09 requires that the cash paid for shares withheld to satisfy statutory income tax withholding obligations be classified as a financing activity in the statement of cash flows. As a result, we revised our accompanying Statements of Cash Flows for prior years to conform to the 2016 presentation as follows: 2015 — increased operating cash flows $16,160,000 with a corresponding decrease in financing cash flows, and 2014 — increased operating cash flows $671,000 with a corresponding decrease in financing cash flows. F or additional information about share-based compensation, see Note 11 under the caption Share-based Compensation Plans. RECLAMATION COSTS Reclamation costs resulting from normal use of long-lived assets are recognized over the period the asset is in use when there is a legal obligation to incur these costs upon retirement of the assets. Additionally, reclamation costs resulting from normal use under a mineral lease are recognized over the lease term when there is a legal obligation to incur these costs upon expiration of the lease. The obligation, which cannot be reduced by estimated offsetting cash flows, is recorded at fair value as a liability at the obligating event date and is accreted through charges to operating expenses. This fair value is also capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the underlying asset and depreciated over the estimated useful life of the asset. If the obligation is settled for other than the carrying amount of the liability, a gain or loss is recognized on settlement. To determine the fair value of the obligation, we estimate the cost ( including a reasonable profit margin) for a third party to perform the legally required reclamation tasks. This cost is then increased for both future estimated inflation and an estimated market risk premium related to the estimated years to settlement. Once calculated, this cost is discounted to fair value using present value techniques with a credit-adjusted, risk-free rate commensurate with the estimated years to settlement. In estimating the settlement date, we evaluate the current facts and conditions to determine the most likely settlement date. If this evaluation identifies alternative estimated settlement dates, we use a weighted-average settlement date considering the probabilities of each alternative. We review reclamation obligations at least annually for a revision to the cost or a change in the estimated settlement date. Additionally, reclamation obligations are reviewed in the period that a triggering event occurs that would result in either a revision to the cost or a change in the estimated settlement date. Examples of events that would trigger a change in the cost include a new reclamation law or amendment of an existing mineral lease. Examples of events that would trigger a change in the estimated settlement date include the acquisition of additional reserves or the closure of a facility. The carrying value of these obligations was $223,872,000 as of December 31, 2016 and $226,594,000 as of December 31, 2015. For additional information about reclamation obligations (referred to in our financial statements as asset retirement obligations) see Note 17. PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS Accounting for pension and postretirement benefits requires that we make significant assumptions about the valuation of benefit obligations and the performance of plan assets. The primary assumptions are as follows: § Discount Rate — The discount rate is used in calculating the present value of projected benefit payments § Expected Return on Plan Assets — The expected future return on plan assets reduces the recorded net benefit costs § Rate of Compensation Increase — Annual pay increases after 2015 will not increase our pension plan obligations as a result of a 2013 plan amendment § Rate of Increase in the Per Capita Cost of Covered Healthcare Benefits — Increases in the per capita cost after 2015 will not increase our postretirement medical benefits obligation as a result of a 2012 plan amend ment Accounting standards provide for the delayed recognition of differences between actual results and expected or estimated results. This delayed recognition of actual results allows for a smoothed recognition in earnings of changes in benefit obligations and asset performance. The differences between actual results and expected or estimated results are recognized in full in other comprehensive income. Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income are reclassified to earnings in a systematic manner over the average remaining service period of participants for our active plans or the average remaining lifetime of participants for our inactive plans. For additional information about pension and other postretirement benefits see Note 10. ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE Our environmental compliance costs are undiscounted and include the cost of ongoing monitoring programs, the cost of remediation efforts and other similar costs. We accrue costs for environmental assessment and remediation efforts when we determine that a liability is probable and we can reasonably estimate the cost. At the early stages of a remediation effort, environmental remediation liabilities are not easily quantified due to the uncertainties of various factors. The range of an estimated remediation liability is defined and redefined as events in the remediation effort occur, but generally liabilities are recognized no later than completion of the remedial feasibility study. When we can estimate a range of probable loss, we accrue the most likely amount. If no amount in the range of probable loss is considered most likely, the minimum loss in the range is accrued. As of December 31, 2016, the spread between the amount accrued and the maximum loss in the range for all sites for which a range can be reasonably estimated was $3,341,000 — this amount does not represent our maximum exposure to loss for all environmental remediation obligations as it excludes those sites for which a range of loss cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. Accrual amounts may be based on technical cost estimations or the professional judgment of experienced environmental managers. Our Safety, Health and Environmental A

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS [Abstract]
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS	NOTE 2: DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS In 2005, we sold substantially all the assets of our Chemicals business to Basic Chemicals, a subsidiary of Occidental Chemical Corporation. The financial results of the Chemicals business are classified as discontinued operations in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for all periods presented. There were no revenues from discontinued operations for the years presented. Results from discontinued operations are as follows:     in thousands 2016 2015 2014  Discontinued Operations  Pretax loss $ (4,877) $ (19,326) $ (3,683)  Income tax benefit 1,962 7,589 1,460  Loss on discontinued operations,  net of tax $ (2,915) $ (11,737) $ (2,223)  The 201 6 , 201 5 and 201 4 pretax losses from discontinued operations of $4,877,000 , $19,326,000 and $3,683,000 , respectively, include charges related to general and product liability costs, including legal defense costs, and environmental remediation costs associated with our former Chemicals business. During 2016, we settled one of the cases in the Texas Brine matter (see Note 12). This settlement was covered by our insurance policy which also reimbursed a portion of our past legal expenses such that the net loss for this matter was immaterial for the year. Th e p rior year ’ s increased los s r esulted primarily from charges associated with the Lower Passaic and Texas Brine matters (see Note 12 ) .

INVENTORIES

INVENTORIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
INVENTORIES [Abstract]
INVENTORIES	NOTE 3: INVENTORIES Inventories at December 31 are as follows:     in thousands 2016 2015  Inventories  Finished products 1 $ 293,619 $ 297,925  Raw materials 22,648 21,765  Products in process 1,480 1,008  Operating supplies and other 27,869 26,375  Total $ 345,616 $ 347,073    1 Includes inventories encumbered b y v o lumetric production payment s (see Note 1, caption Deferred Revenue), as follows: December 31, 201 6 — $ 2,841 thousand and December 31, 201 5 — $ 4,452 thousand.  In addition to the inventory balances presented above, as of December 31, 201 6 and December 31, 201 5 , we have $15,285,000 and $14,995,000 , respectively, of inventory classified as long-term assets (other noncurrent assets) as we do not expect to sell the inventory within one year of their respective balance sheet dates. Inventories valued under the LIFO method total $239,187,000 at December 31, 201 6 and $242,147,000 at December 31, 201 5 . During 20 16 , 201 5 and 201 4 , inventory reductions resulted in liquidations of LIFO inventory layers carried at lower costs prevailing in prior years as compared to current-year costs. The effect of the LIFO liquidation on 201 6 results was to decrease cost of revenues by $3,956,000 and increase net earnings by $ 2,419,000 . The effect of the LIFO liquidation on 2015 results was to decrease cost of revenues by $3,284,000 and increase net earnings by $2,010,000 . The effect of the LIFO liquidation on 2014 results was to decrease cost of revenues by $2,686,000 and increase net earnings by $1,650,000 . Estimated current cost exceeded LIFO cost at December 31, 201 6 and 201 5 by $155,576,000 and $169,257,000 , respectively. We use the LIFO method of valuation for most of our inventories as it results in a better matching of costs with revenues. We provide supplemental income disclosures to facilitate comparisons with companies not on LIFO. The supplemental income calculation is derived by tax-effecting the change in the LIFO reserve for the periods presented. If all inventories valued at LIFO cost had been valued under the methods (substantially average cost) used before the adoption of the LIFO method, the approximate effect on net earnings would have been a n de crease of $(8,338,000) in 201 6 , a de crease of $(7,614,000) in 201 5 and an i ncrease of $19,108,000 in 201 4 .

PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT

PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT [Abstract]
PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT	NOTE 4: PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT Balances of major classes of assets and allowances for depreciation, depletion and amortization at December 31 are as follows:     in thousands 2016 2015  Property, Plant & Equipment  Land and land improvements 1 $ 2,374,051 $ 2,305,801  Buildings 127,369 124,950  Machinery and equipment 4,316,243 4,124,808  Leaseholds 17,595 14,143  Deferred asset retirement costs 168,258 166,252  Construction in progress 182,302 155,333  Total, gross $ 7,185,818 $ 6,891,287  Less allowances for depreciation, depletion  and amortization 3,924,380 3,734,997  Total, net $ 3,261,438 $ 3,156,290   1 Includes depletable land, as follows: December 31, 201 6 — $ 1,327,402 thousand and December 31, 201 5 — $1,296,211 thousand.  Capitalized interest costs with respect to qualifying construction projects and total interest costs incurred before recognition of the capitalized amount for the years ended December 31 are as follows:     in thousands 2016 2015 2014  Capitalized interest cost $ 7,468 $ 2,930 $ 2,092  Total interest cost incurred before recognition  of the capitalized amount 141,544 223,518 245,459

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS [Abstract]
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS	NOTE 5: DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS During the normal course of operations, we are exposed to market risks including interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices. From time to time, and consistent with our risk management policies, we use derivative instruments to balance the cost and risk of such expenses. We do not use derivative instruments for trading or other speculative purposes. The accounting for gains and losses that result from changes in the fair value of derivative instruments depends on whether the derivatives have been designated and qualify as hedging instruments and the type of hedging relationship. The interest rate swap agreements described below were designated as either cash flow hedges or fair value hedges. The changes in fair value of our interest rate swap cash flow hedges are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) and are reclassified into interest expense in the same period the hedged items affect earnings. The changes in fair value of our interest rate swap fair value hedges are recorded as interest expense consistent with the change in the fair value of the hedged items attributable to the risk being hedged. CASH FLOW HEDGES During 2007, we entered into fifteen forward starting interest rate locks on $1,500,000,000 of future debt issuances to hedge the risk of higher interest rates. Upon the 2007 and 2008 issuances of the related fixed-rate debt, underlying interest rates were lower than the rate locks and we terminated and settled these forward starting locks for cash pay ments of $89,777,000 . This amount was booked to AOCI and is being amortized to interest expense over the term of the related debt. This amortization was reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31 as follows:     in thousands Location on Statement 2016 2015 2014  Cash Flow Hedges  Loss reclassified from AOCI  (effective portion) Interest expense $ (2,008) $ (9,759) $ (7,988)  The loss es reclassified from AOCI for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 include the acceleration of a proportional amount of the deferred loss in the amount of $7,208,000 and $3,762,000 , respectively, referable to the debt purchases as described in Note 6. For the 12-month period ending December 31, 201 7 , we estimate that $2,179,000 of the pretax loss in AOCI will be reclassified to earnings. FAIR VALUE HEDGES In June 2011, we issued $500,000,000 of 6.50% fixed-rate notes due in 2016 to refinance near term floating-rate debt. Concurrently, we entered into interest rate swap agreements in the stated amount of $500,000,000 to reestablish the pre-refinancing mix of fixed- rate and floating-rate debt. Under these agreements, we paid 6-month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus a spread of 4.05% and received a fixed interest rate of 6.50% . Additionally, in June 2011, we entered into interest rate swap agreements on our $150,000,000 of 10.125% fixed-rate notes due in 2015. Under these agreements, we paid 6-month LIBOR plus a spread of 8.03% and received a fixed interest rate of 10.125% . In August 2011, we terminated and settled these interest rate swap agreements for $25,382,000 of cash proceeds. The resulting gai n w as added to the carrying value of the related debt and wa s amortized as a reduction to interest expense over the terms of the related debt using the effective interest method. This deferred gain amortization was reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31 as follows:     in thousands 2016 2015 2014  Deferred Gain on Settlement  Amortized to earnings as a reduction to interest expense $ 0 $ 3,036 $ 10,674  T he deferred gain was fully amortized in December 2015, concurrent with the retirement of the 10.125% notes due 2015. The amortized deferred gain s for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 include the acceleration of a proportional amount of the deferred gain in the amount of $1,642,000 and $8,032,000 , respectively, referable to the debt purchases as described in Note 6.

DEBT

DEBT	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
DEBT [Abstract]
DEBT	NOTE 6: DEBT Debt at December 31 is detailed as follows:     Effective  in thousands Interest Rates 2016 2015  Short-term Debt  Bank line of credit expires 2021 1, 2, 3 n/a $ 0 $ 0  Total short-term debt $ 0 $ 0  Long-term Debt  Bank line of credit expires 2021 1, 2, 3 1.25% $ 235,000 $ 235,000  7.00% notes due 2018 7.87% 272,512 272,512  10.375% notes due 2018 10.63% 250,000 250,000  7.50% notes due 2021 7.75% 600,000 600,000  8.85% notes due 2021 8.88% 6,000 6,000  Delayed draw term loan 2, 3 1.25% 0 0  4.50% notes due 2025 4.65% 400,000 400,000  7.15% notes due 2037 8.05% 240,188 240,188  Other notes 3 6.31% 365 498  Total long-term debt - face value $ 2,004,065 $ 2,004,198  Unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs (21,176) (23,734)  Total long-term debt - book value $ 1,982,889 $ 1,980,464  Less current maturities 138 130  Total long-term debt - reported value $ 1,982,751 $ 1,980,334  Estimated fair value of long-term debt $ 2,243,213 $ 2,204,816    1 Borrowings on the bank line of credit are classified as short-term debt if we intend to repay within twelve months and as long-term debt otherwise. 2 The effective interest rate is the spread over LIBOR as of the most recent balance sheet date. 3 Non-publicly traded deb t.  Our total long-term debt - book value is presented in the table above net of unamortized discounts from par and unamortiz ed deferred debt issuance costs. Discounts and debt issuance costs are amortized using the effective interest method over th e terms of the respective notes resulting in $4,418,000 of net interest expense for these items for the year ended December 31, 2016. The estimated fair value of our debt presented in the table above was determined by: (1) averaging several asking price quotes for the publicly traded notes and (2) assuming par value for the remainder of the debt. The fair value estimates for the publicly traded notes were based on Level 2 information (as defined in Note 1, caption Fair Value Measurements) as of their respective balance sheet dates. LINE OF CREDIT In December 2016, among othe r f avorable changes, we extended the maturity date of our unsecured $750,000,000 line of credit from June 2020 to December 2021 (incurring $1,860,000 of transaction fees together with the new term loan described below ). Th e c redit agreemen t c ontains affirmative, negative and financial covenants customary for an unsecured investment-grade facility. The primary negative covenant limits our ability to incur secured deb t. The financial covenants are: (1) a maximum ratio of debt to EBITDA of 3.5 :1 (upon certain acquisitions, the maximum ratio can be 3.75 :1 for three quarters) , and (2) a minimum ratio of EBITDA to net cash interest expense of 3.0 :1. As of December 31, 201 6 , we were in compliance with the line of credit covenants. Borrowings on our line of credit are classified as short-term debt if we intend to repay within twelve months and as long-term debt if we have the intent and ability to extend repayment beyond twelve months. Borrowings bear interest, at our option, at either LIBOR plus a credit margin ranging from 1.00% to 1.75% , or SunTrust Bank’s base rate (generally, its prime rate) plus a credit margin ranging from 0.00% to 0.75% . The credit margin for both LIBOR and base rate borrowings is determined by our credit rating s. S tandby letters of credit, which are issued under the line of credit and reduce availability, are charged a fee equal to the credit margin for LIBOR borrowings plus 0.175% . We also pay a commitment fee on the daily average unused amount of the line of credit that ranges from 0.10% to 0.25% determined by our credit rating s. A s of December 31, 201 6 , the credit margin for LIBOR borrowings was 1.25% , the credit margin for base rate borrowings was 0.25% , and the commitment fee for the unused amount was 0.15% . As of December 31, 201 6 , our available borrowing capacity was $475,462,000 . Utilization of the borrowing capacity was as follows: § $235,000,000 was borrowed § $39,538,000 was used to provide support for outstanding standby letters of credit TERM DEBT All of our term debt is unsecured. $1,768,700,000 of such debt is governed by two essentially identical indentures that contain customary investment-grade type covenants. The primary covenant in both indentures limits the amount of secured debt we may incur without ratably securing such debt. As of December 31, 201 6 , we were in compliance with all of the term debt covenants. In December 2016, we entered into an unsecured $250,000,000 delayed draw term loan (incurring, together with the line of credit extension mentioned previously, $1,860,000 of transaction costs). The term loan is provided by the same group of banks that provides our line of cred it a nd is governed by the same credit agreement as the line of credit. As such, it is subject to the same affirmative, negative, and financial covenants. The term loan may be funded in up to three draws through June 21 , 2017, after which any undrawn amount expires. Borrowings bear interest in the same manner as the line of credit. Until June 21 , 2017, we also pay a commitment fee on the undrawn amount in the same manner as the line of credit. The term loan principal will be repaid quarterly beginning March 2018 (quarter 5 after closing) as follows: quarters 5 - 8 0.625% ; quarters 9 - 12 1.25% ; quarters 13 - 19 1.875% and quarter 20 79.375% . The term loan may be prepaid at any time without penalty. I n 2 015, we issued $400,000,000 of 4.50% senior notes due 2025 . Proceeds (net of underwriter fees and other transaction costs) of $395,207,000 , together with cash on hand and borrowings under our line of credit, funded: (1) the p urchase, via tender offer, of $127,488,000 principal amount ( 33% ) of the 7.00% notes due 2018 , ( 2 ) th e r edemption of $218,633,000 principal amount ( 100% ) of the 6.40% notes due 2017 , and ( 3 ) th e r edemption of $125,001,000 principal amount ( 100% ) of the 6.50% notes due 2016 . The se d ebt purchase s cost $530,923,000 , including a $59,293,000 premium above the principal amount of the notes and transaction costs of $508,000 . The premium primarily reflects the trading price of the notes relative to par before the tender offer commencement. Additionally, we recognized $7,274,000 of net noncash expense associated with the acceleration of a proportional amount of unamortized discounts, deferred debt issuance costs, and deferred interest rate derivative settlement gains and losses. The combine d c harge of $67,075,000 was a component of interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2015. Additionally in 2 015, we repaid our $150,000,000 10.125% notes due 2015 and o ur $14,000,000 industrial revenue bond due 2022 via borrowing on our line of credit. The se repayment s did not incur any prepayment penalties. DEBT PAYMENTS During 2016, our debt payments , excludin g t he line of credit, were composed of $130,000 principal and $125,748,000 interest. As described above, durin g 2 015, we purchased/redeemed $471,122,000 principal amount of debt using the proceeds from th e 2 015 debt issuance, cash on hand and borrowings on our line of credit. Additionally in 2015, we borrowed on our line of credi t t o repay our $14,000,000 industrial revenue bond due 2022 an d o ur $150,000,000 10.125% notes due 2015. The total scheduled (principal and interest) debt payments, excludin g t he line of credit, for the five years subsequent to December 31, 201 6 are as follows:     in thousands Total Principal Interest  Debt Payments (excluding the line of credit)  2017 $ 125,878 $ 138 $ 125,740  2018 638,725 522,531 116,194  2019 80,740 23 80,717  2020 80,741 25 80,716  2021 664,174 606,026 58,148 STANDBY LETTERS OF CREDIT We provide, in the normal course of business, certain third-party beneficiaries standby letters of credit to support our obligations to pay or perform according to the requirements of an underlying agreement. Such letters of credit typically have an initial term of one year, typically renew automatically, and can only be modified or cancelled with the approval of the beneficiary. All of our standby letters of credit are issued by banks that participate in our $750,000,000 line of credit, and reduce the borrowing capacity thereunder. Our standby letters of credit as of December 31, 201 6 are summarized by purpose in the table below:     in thousands  Standby Letters of Credit  Risk management insurance $ 34,111  Reclamation/restoration requirements 5,427  Total $ 39,538

OPERATING LEASES

OPERATING LEASES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
OPERATING LEASES [Abstract]
OPERATING LEASES	NOTE 7: OPERATING LEASES Rental expense from continuing operations under nonmineral operating leases for the years ended December 31, exclusive of rental payments made under leases of one month or less, is summarized as follows:      in thousands 2016 2015 2014  Operating Leases  Minimum rentals $ 52,713 $ 49,461 $ 42,887  Contingent rentals (based principally on usage) 57,278 60,380 56,717  Total $ 109,991 $ 109,841 $ 99,604  Future minimum operating lease payments under all leases with initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year, exclusive of mineral leases (see Note 12), as of December 31, 201 6 are payable as follows:     in thousands  Future Minimum Operating Lease Payments  2017 $ 31,017  2018 29,389  2019 25,132  2020 23,022  2021 21,312  Thereafter 119,602  Total $ 249,474  Lease agreements frequently include renewal options and require that we pay for utilities, taxes, insurance and maintenance expense. Options to purchase are also included in some lease agreements.

ACCRUED ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATI

ACCRUED ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION COSTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
ACCRUED ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION COSTS [Abstract]
ACCRUED ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION COSTS	NOTE 8: ACCRUED ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION COSTS Our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31 include accrued environmental remediation costs (measured on an undiscounted basis) as follows:     in thousands 2016 2015  Accrued Environmental Remediation Costs  Continuing operations $ 9,136 $ 6,876  Retained from former Chemicals business 10,716 10,988  Total $ 19,852 $ 17,864  The long-term portion of the accruals noted above is included in other noncurrent liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets and amounted to $12,655,000 at December 31, 201 6 and $12,569,000 at December 31, 201 5 . The short-term portion of these accruals is included in other current liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The accrued environmental remediation costs in continuing operations relate primarily to the former Florida Rock, Tarmac, and CalMat facilities acquired in 2007, 2000 and 1999, respectively. The balances noted above for Chemicals relate to retained environmental remediation costs from the 2003 sale of the Performance Chemicals business and the 2005 sale of the Chloralkali business. Refer to Note 12 for additional discussion of these contingent environmental matters.

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
INCOME TAXES [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	NOTE 9: INCOME TAXES The components of earning s f rom continuing operations before income taxes are as follows:     in thousands 2016 2015 2014  Earnings from Continuing Operations  before Income Taxes  Domestic $ 513,721 $ 293,547 $ 264,473  Foreign 33,536 34,310 34,365  Total $ 547,257 $ 327,857 $ 298,838  I ncome tax expense from continuing operations consists of the following:     in thousands 2016 2015 2014  Income Tax Expense from  Continuing Operations  Current  Federal $ 72,506 $ 67,521 $ 47,882  State and local 14,774 14,035 18,983  Foreign 6,974 7,784 7,174  Total $ 94,254 $ 89,340 $ 74,039  Deferred  Federal $ 37,246 $ 11,192 $ 13,556  State and local (6,647) (4,888) 4,120  Foreign (2) (701) (23)  Total $ 30,597 $ 5,603 $ 17,653  Total expense $ 124,851 $ 94,943 $ 91,692  Income tax expense differs from the amount computed by applying the federal statutory income tax rate to earnings from continuing operations before income taxes. The sources and tax effects of the differences are as follows:     dollars in thousands 2016 2015 2014  Income tax expense at the federal  statutory tax rate of 35% $ 191,540 35.0% $ 114,750 35.0% $ 104,594 35.0%  Expense (Benefit) from  Income Tax Differences  Statutory depletion (32,230) -5.9% (27,702) -8.4% (25,774) -8.6%  State and local income taxes, net of federal  income tax benefit 1 5,283 1.0% 5,945 1.8% 15,017 5.0%  U.S. production deduction (8,790) -1.6% (5,099) -1.6% 0 0.0%  Foreign tax credit carryforward (6,513) -1.2% 6,486 2.0% 0 0.0%  Permanently reinvested foreign earnings (4,578) -0.8% (6,396) -2.0% 0 0.0%  Share-based compensation 2 (22,443) -4.1% 0 0.0% 0 0.0%  Other, net 2,582 0.4% 6,959 2.2% (2,145) -0.7%  Total income tax expense/  Effective tax rate $ 124,851 22.8% $ 94,943 29.0% $ 91,692 30.7%   1 The 2016 amount i ncludes $2,404 thousand of benefit related to the early adoption of ASU 2016-09. 2 As discussed in Note 1, we early adopted ASU 2016-0 9 a s of December 31, 2016.  Deferr ed ta xes on the balance sheet result from temporary differences between the amount of assets and liabilities recognized for financial reporting and tax purposes. The components of the net deferred income tax liability at December 31 are as follows:     in thousands 2016 2015  Deferred Tax Assets Related to  Employee benefits $ 85,123 $ 78,999  Asset retirement obligations & other reserves 63,617 59,507  Deferred compensation 103,947 117,298  State net operating losses 54,498 61,658  Federal credit carryforwards 18,139 34,340  Other 44,843 48,856  Total gross deferred tax assets 370,167 400,658  Valuation allowance (44,237) (59,323)  Total net deferred tax assets $ 325,930 $ 341,335  Deferred Tax Liabilities Related to  Property, plant & equipment $ 664,763 $ 665,057  Goodwill/other intangible assets 327,666 324,910  Other 36,355 32,464  Total deferred tax liabilities $ 1,028,784 $ 1,022,431  Net deferred tax liability $ 702,854 $ 681,096  The above net deferred tax liabilities are reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as noncurrent liabilities. E ach quarter we analyze the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be realized. A valuation allowance is recorded if, based on the weight of all available positive and negative evidence, it is more likely than not (a likelihood of more than 50%) that some portion, or all, of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. As noted above, we have state net operating loss carryforward deferred tax assets of $ 54,498,000 of which $53,220,000 relates to Alabama. The Alabama net operating loss carryforward, if not use d, would expire in years 2023 – 2029 . Before 2015, this Alabama deferred tax asset carried a full valuation allowance. During 2015, we restructured our legal entities whic h r esulted in a partial release of the valuation allowance in the amount of $4,655,000 . During the fourth quarter of 2016, based on our continued positive performance, we recorded an additional partial release of the valuation allowance in the amount of $4,791,000 . As of December 31, 201 6 , income tax receivables of $10,201,000 are included in accounts and notes receivable in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet. These are federal and state amended return receivables and overpayments that we have requested to be refunded. There were similar receivables of $4,138,000 as of December 31, 201 5 . Our liability for unrecognized tax benefits is discussed in our accounting policy for income taxes (see Note 1, caption Income Taxes). Changes in our liability for unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31 are as follows:     in thousands 2016 2015 2014  Unrecognized tax benefits as of January 1 $ 8,447 $ 7,057 $ 12,155  Increases for tax positions related to  Prior years 1,368 491 229  Current year 1,040 942 528  Decreases for tax positions related to  Prior years 0 0 (53)  Settlements with taxing authorities 0 0 0  Expiration of applicable statute of limitations (27) (43) (5,802)  Unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31 $ 10,828 $ 8,447 $ 7,057  We classify interest and penalties recognized on the liability for unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. Interest and penalties recognized as income tax expense (benefit) were $266,000 in 201 6 , $138,000 in 201 5 and $(1,067,000) in 201 4 . The balance of accrued interest and penalties included in our liability for unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31 was $1,369,000 in 201 6 , $1,103,000 in 201 5 and $965,000 in 201 4 . Our liability for unrecognized tax benefits at December 31 in the table above include $9,884,000 in 201 6 , $7,614,000 in 201 5 and $6,282,000 in 201 4 that would affect the effective tax rate if recognized. We are routinely examined by various taxing authorities. We anticipate no single tax position generating a significant increase or decrease in our liability for unrecognized tax benefits within 12 months of this reporting date. We file income tax returns in U.S. federal, various state and foreign jurisdictions. Generally, we are not subject to significant changes in income taxes by any taxing jurisdiction for the years before 20 13 . As of December 31, 201 6 , we have $154,874,000 of accumulated undistributed earnings fro m o ur foreign subsidiaries. We consider these earnings to be indefinitely reinvested and, therefore, have not recorde d i ncome taxes on these earnings. If we were to distribute these earnings in the form of dividends, the distribution would result in U.S. income taxes of $32,860,000 .

BENEFIT PLANS

BENEFIT PLANS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
BENEFIT PLANS [Abstract]
BENEFIT PLANS	NOTE 10: BENEFIT PLANS PENSION PLANS We sponsor three qualified , noncontributory defined benefit pension plans. These plans cover substantially all employees hired before July 2007, other than those covered by union-administered plans. Normal retirement age is 65 , but the plans contain provisions for earlier retirement. Benefits for the Salaried Plan and the Chemicals Hourly Plan are generally based on salaries or wages and years of service; the Construction Materials Hourly Plan provides benefits equal to a flat dollar amount for each year of service. In addition to these qualified plans, we sponsor three unfunded, nonqualified pension plans. The projected benefit obligation presented in the table below includes $85,021,000 and $89,652,000 related to these unfunded, nonqualified pension plans for 201 6 and 201 5 , respectively. Effective July 2007, we amended our defined benefit pension plans to no longer accept new participants. In December 2013, we amended our defined benefit pension plans so that future benefit accruals for salaried pension participants ceased effective December 31, 201 5 . T he following table sets forth the combined funded status of the plans and their reconciliation with the related amounts recognized in our consolidated financial statements at December 31:     in thousands 2016 2015  Change in Benefit Obligation  Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 988,453 $ 1,083,222  Service cost 5,343 4,851  Interest cost 36,505 44,065  Actuarial (gain) loss 24,675 (63,725)  Benefits paid (48,302) (79,960)  Projected benefit obligation at end of year $ 1,006,674 $ 988,453  Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets  Fair value of assets at beginning of year $ 745,686 $ 816,972  Actual return on plan assets 42,555 (5,373)  Employer contribution 9,576 14,047  Benefits paid (48,302) (79,960)  Fair value of assets at end of year $ 749,515 $ 745,686  Funded status (257,159) (242,767)  Net amount recognized $ (257,159) $ (242,767)  Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated  Balance Sheets  Noncurrent assets $ 0 $ 0  Current liabilities (9,375) (9,106)  Noncurrent liabilities (247,784) (233,661)  Net amount recognized $ (257,159) $ (242,767)  Amounts Recognized in Accumulated  Other Comprehensive Income  Net actuarial loss $ 250,099 $ 222,580  Prior service credit (361) (404)  Total amount recognized $ 249,738 $ 222,176  The accumulated benefit obligation (ABO) and the projected benefit obligation (PBO) exceeded plan assets for all of our defined benefit plans at December 31, 20 16 and December 31, 201 5 , except for the Chemicals Hourly Plan where the plan assets exceeded the ABO by $277,000 . The ABO for all of our defined benefit pension plans totaled $1,006,001,000 (unfunded, nonqualified plans of $85,021,000) at December 31, 201 6 and $987,724,000 (unfunded, nonqualified plans of $89,652,000 ) at December 31, 201 5 . The following table sets forth the components of net periodic benefit cost, amounts recognized in other comprehensive income and weighted-average assumptions of the plans at December 31:     dollars in thousands 2016 2015 2014  Components of Net Periodic Pension  Benefit Cost  Service cost $ 5,343 $ 4,851 $ 4,157  Interest cost 36,505 44,065 44,392  Expected return on plan assets (51,562) (54,736) (50,802)  Settlement charge 0 2,031 0  Amortization of prior service cost (credit) (43) 48 188  Amortization of actuarial loss 6,163 21,641 11,221  Net periodic pension benefit cost (credit) $ (3,594) $ 17,900 $ 9,156  Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit  Obligations Recognized in Other  Comprehensive Income  Net actuarial loss (gain) $ 33,682 $ (3,615) $ 118,915  Reclassification of actuarial loss (6,163) (23,672) (11,221)  Reclassification of prior service (cost) credit 43 (48) (188)  Amount recognized in other comprehensive  income $ 27,562 $ (27,335) $ 107,506  Amount recognized in net periodic pension  benefit cost and other comprehensive  income $ 23,968 $ (9,435) $ 116,662  Assumptions  Weighted-average assumptions used to  determine net periodic benefit cost for  years ended December 31  Discount rate — PBO 4.55% 4.14% 4.91%  Discount rate — service cost 4.68% 4.14% 4.91%  Discount rate — interest cost 3.79% 4.14% 4.91%  Expected return on plan assets 7.50% 7.50% 7.50%  Rate of compensation increase  (for salary-related plans) 3.50% 3.70% 3.50%  Weighted-average assumptions used to  determine benefit obligation at  December 31  Discount rate 4.29% 4.54% 4.14%  Rate of compensation increase  (for salary-related plans) 3.50% 3.50% 3.70%  The 2015 settlement charge noted above relates to a lump sum payment to a former employee from the nonqualified plan. This $2,031,000 charge is reflected within both cost of revenues and selling, administrative and general expenses in our accompanying Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year ended December 31, 2015. The estimated net actuarial loss and prior servic e credit t hat will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic pension benefit cost (credit) during 201 7 are $6,988,000 and $(73,000), r espectively. Our expected return on plan assets is: (1) a long-term view based on our current asset allocation, and (2) a judgment informed by consultation with our retirement plans’ consultant and our pension plans’ actuary. The expected return on plan assets used to determine 2016 pension benefit cost was 7.50% . We establish our pension investment policy by evaluating asset/liability studies periodically performed by our consultants. These studies estimate trade-offs between expected returns on our investments and the variability in anticipated cash contributions to fund our pension liabilities. Our policy balances the variability in potential pension fund contributions to expected returns on our investments. Our current strategy for implementing this policy is to invest in publicly traded equities and in publicly traded debt and private, nonliquid opportunities, such as venture capital, commodities, buyout funds and mezzanine debt. The target allocation ranges for plan assets are as follows: equity securities — 50% to 77% ; debt securities — 15% to 27% ; specialty investments — 0% to 20% ; commodities — 0% to 6%; and cash reserves — 0% to 5% . Equity securities include domestic investments and foreign equities in the Europe, Australia and Far East (EAFE) and International Finance Corporation (IFC) Emerging Market Indices. Debt securities primarily include domestic debt instruments, while specialty investments include investments in venture capital, buyout funds, mezzanine debt, private partnerships and an interest in a commodity index fund. The fair values and net asset values of our pension plan assets at December 31, 201 6 and 201 5 by asset category are as follows: Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2016     in thousands Level 1 1 Level 2 1 Level 3 1 Total  Asset Category  Debt securities $ 0 $ 162,894 $ 0 $ 162,894  Investment funds  Commodity funds 0 16,594 0 16,594  Equity funds 530 124,407 0 124,937  Investments in the fair value hierarchy $ 530 $ 303,895 $ 0 $ 304,425  Interest in common/collective trusts (at NAV) 2 358,345  Venture capital and partnerships (at NAV) 2 86,745  Total pension plan assets $ 749,515 Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2015     in thousands Level 1 1 Level 2 1 Level 3 1 Total  Asset Category  Debt securities $ 0 $ 154,745 $ 0 $ 154,745  Investment funds  Commodity funds 0 14,490 0 14,490  Equity funds 647 123,078 0 123,725  Investments in the fair value hierarchy $ 647 $ 292,313 $ 0 $ 292,960  Interest in common/collective trusts (at NAV) 2 349,854  Venture capital and partnerships (at NAV) 2 102,872  Total pension plan assets $ 745,686   1 See Note 1 under the caption Fair Value Measurements for a description of the fair value hierarchy. 2 As discussed in Note 1, we adopted ASU 2015-07 as of March 31, 2016. As a result, pension plan assets measured using the net asset value practical expedient were excluded from the fair value hierarchy.  At each measurement date, we estimate the fair value s and net asset values of our pension assets using various valuation techniques. We use , to the extent available, quoted market prices in active markets or observable market inputs in estimating the fair value of our pension assets. When quoted market prices or observable market inputs are not available, we use valuation techniques that rely on unobservable inputs to estimate the fair value of our pension assets. The following describes the types of investments included in each asset category listed in the tables above and the valuation techniques we used to determine the fair values or net asset values as of December 31, 201 6 and 201 5 . The debt securities category consists of bonds issued by U.S. federal, state and local governments, corporate debt securities, fixed income obligations issued by foreign governments, and asset-backed securities. The fair values of U.S. government and corporate debt securities are based on current market rates and credit spreads for debt securities with similar maturities. The fair values of debt securities issued by foreign governments are based on prices obtained from broker/dealers and international indices. The fair values of asset-backed securities are priced using prepayment speed and spread inputs that are sourced from the new issue market. Investment funds consist of exchange traded and non-exchange traded funds. The commodity funds asset category consists of a single open-end commodity mutual fund. The equity f unds asset category consists of a publicly traded mutual fund investing in domestic equities. For investment funds publicly traded on a national securities exchange, the fair value is based on quoted market prices. For investment funds not traded on an exchange, the total fair value of the underlying securities is used to determine the net asset value for each unit of the fund held by the pension fund. The estimated fair values of the underlying securities are generally valued based on quoted market prices. For securities without quoted market prices, other observable market inputs are use d to determine the fair value. Common/collective trust fund investments consist of index funds for domestic equities , an actively managed fund for international equities , and a short-term investment fund for highly liquid, short-term debt securities . Investments are valued at the net asset value (NAV) of units of a bank collective trust. The NAV is used as a practical expedient to estimate fair value. The NAV is based on the fair value of the underlying investments held by the fund less its liabilities. This practical expedient is not used when it is determined to be probable that the fund will sell the investment for an amount different than the reported NAV . The venture capital and partnerships asset category consists of various limited partnership funds, mezzanine debt funds and leveraged buyout funds. NAV is used as a practical expedient to estimate fair value. The NAV of these investments has been estimated based on methods employed by the general partners, including consideration of, among other things, reference to third-party transactions, valuations of comparable companies operating within the same or similar industry, the current economic and competitive environment, creditworthiness of the corporate issuer, as well as market prices for instruments with similar maturities, terms, conditions and quality ratings. The use of different assumptions, applying different judgment to inherently subjective matters and changes in future market conditions could result in significantly different estimates of fair value of these securities. Total employer contributions to the pension plans are presented below:     in thousands Pension  Employer Contributions  2014 $ 5,488  2015 14,047  2016 9,576  2017 (estimated) 18,875  During 20 16, 201 5 and 201 4 , we made no contributions to our qualified pension plans. W e a nticipate contributing $9,500,00 0 t o our qualified pension plans in 201 7 . For our nonqualified pension plans, we contributed $9,576,000 , $14,047,000 and $5,488,000 during 201 6 , 201 5 and 201 4 , respectively, and expect to contribute $9,375,000 during 201 7 . The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid:     in thousands Pension  Estimated Future Benefit Payments  2017 $ 52,691  2018 55,221  2019 56,720  2020 57,664  2021 58,755  2022-2026 304,149  We contribute to a number of multiemployer defined benefit pension plans under the terms of collective-bargaining agreements for union-represented employees. A multiemployer plan is subject to collective bargaining for employees of two or more unrelated companies. Multiemployer plans are managed by boards of trustees on which management and labor have equal representation. However, in most cases, management is not directly represented. The risks of participating in multiemployer plans differ from single employer plans as follows: § assets contributed to a multiemployer plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers § if a participating employer stops contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by the remaining participating employers § if we cease to have an obligation to contribute to one or more of the multiemployer plans to which we contribute, we may be required to pay those plans an amount based on the underfunded status of the plan, referred to as a withdrawal liability None of the multiemployer pension plans that we participate in are individually significant. Our contributions to individual multiemployer pension funds did not exceed 5% of the fund’s total contributions in the three years ended December 31, 20 16 , 201 5 and 201 4 . Total contributions to multiemployer pension plans were $10,435,000 in 201 6 , $9,800,000 in 201 5 and $8,503,000 in 201 4 . As of December 31, 201 6 , a total of 12.8% of our domestic hourly labor force was covered by collective-bargaining agreements. Of such employees covered by collective-bargaining agreements, 8.5% were covered by agreements that expire in 201 7 . We also employed 305 union employees in Mexico who are covered by a collective-bargaining agreement that will expire in 20 17 . None of our union employees in Mexico participate in multiemployer pension plans. In addition to the pension plans noted above, we had one unfunded supplemental retirement plan as of December 31, 201 6 and 201 5 . The accrued costs for the supplemental retirement plan were $1,320,000 at December 31, 201 6 and $1,384,000 at December 31, 201 5 . POSTRETIREMENT PLANS In addition to pension benefits, we provide certain healthcare and life insurance benefits for some retired employees. In 2012, we amended our postretirement healthcare plan to cap our portion of the medical coverage cost at the 2015 level. Substantially all our salaried employees and, where applicable, certain of our hourly employees may become eligible for these benefits if they reach a qualifying age and meet certain service requirements. Generally, Company-provided healthcare benefits end when covered individuals become eligible for Medicare benefits, become eligible for other group insurance coverage or reach age 65 , whichever occurs first. The March 2014 sale of our cement and concrete businesses in the Florida area (see Note 19) significantly reduced total expected future service of our postretirement plans resulting in a reduction in the projected benefit obligation of $2,639,000 and a one-time curtailment gain of $3,832,000 . This gain is reflected within gain on sale of property, plant & equipment and businesses in our accompanying Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year ended December 31, 2014. The following table sets forth the combined funded status of the plans and their reconciliation with the related amounts recognized in our consolidated financial statements at December 31:     in thousands 2016 2015  Change in Benefit Obligation  Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 48,605 $ 85,336  Service cost 1,123 1,894  Interest cost 1,209 2,485  Actuarial gain (111) (35,195)  Benefits paid (5,280) (5,915)  Projected benefit obligation at end of year $ 45,546 $ 48,605  Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets  Fair value of assets at beginning of year $ 0 $ 0  Actual return on plan assets 0 0  Fair value of assets at end of year $ 0 $ 0  Funded status $ (45,546) $ (48,605)  Net amount recognized $ (45,546) $ (48,605)  Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated  Balance Sheets  Current liabilities $ (6,013) $ (6,287)  Noncurrent liabilities (39,533) (42,318)  Net amount recognized $ (45,546) $ (48,605)  Amounts Recognized in Accumulated  Other Comprehensive Income  Net actuarial gain $ (22,685) $ (24,325)  Prior service credit (19,692) (23,928)  Total amount recognized $ (42,377) $ (48,253)   The following table sets forth the components of net periodic benefit cost, amounts recognized in other comprehensive income, weighted-average assumptions and assumed trend rates of the plans at December 31:     dollars in thousands 2016 2015 2014  Components of Net Periodic Postretirement  Benefit Cost  Service cost $ 1,123 $ 1,894 $ 2,146  Interest cost 1,209 2,485 3,297  Curtailment gain 0 0 (3,832)  Amortization of prior service credit (4,236) (4,232) (4,327)  Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss (1,751) 37 227  Net periodic postretirement benefit cost (credit) $ (3,655) $ 184 $ (2,489)  Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit  Obligations Recognized in Other  Comprehensive Income  Net actuarial gain $ (111) $ (35,209) $ (5,256)  Reclassification of actuarial gain (loss) 1,751 (37) (227)  Reclassification of prior service credit 4,236 4,232 8,159  Amount recognized in other comprehensive  income $ 5,876 $ (31,014) $ 2,676  Amount recognized in net periodic  postretirement benefit cost and other  comprehensive income $ 2,221 $ (30,830) $ 187  Assumptions  Assumed Healthcare Cost Trend Rates  at December 31  Healthcare cost trend rate assumed  for next year n/a n/a 7.50%  Rate to which the cost trend rate gradually  declines n/a n/a 5.00%  Year that the rate reaches the rate it is  assumed to maintain n/a n/a 2025  Weighted-average assumptions used to  determine net periodic benefit cost for  years ended December 31  Discount rate — PBO 3.69% 3.50% 4.10%  Discount rate — service cost 3.77% 3.50% 4.10%  Discount rate — interest cost 2.81% 3.50% 4.10%  Weighted-average assumptions used to  determine benefit obligation at  December 31  Discount rate 3.58% 3.69% 3.50%  The estimated net actuaria l gain and prior service credit that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic postretirement benefit cost (credit) during 201 7 are $(1,724,000) and $(4,236,000) , respectively. Total employer contributions to the postretirement plans are presented below:     in thousands Postretirement  Employer Contributions  2014 $ 7,739  2015 5,915  2016 5,280  2017 (estimated) 6,013  The employer contributions shown above are equal to the cost of benefits during the year. The plans are not funded and are not subject to any regulatory funding requirements. The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid:     in thousands Postretirement  Estimated Future Benefit Payments  2017 $ 6,013  2018 5,757  2019 5,510  2020 5,227  2021 4,826  2022–2026 18,546  Contributions by participants to the postretirement benefit plans for the years ended December 31 are as follows:     in thousands Postretirement  Participants Contributions  2014 $ 1,873  2015 2,031  2016 2,085  PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS ASSUMPTIONS Each year we review our assumptions about the discount rate, the expected return on plan assets, and the rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered healthcare benefits. Annual pay increases after 2015 do not increase our pension plan obligations as a result of a 2013 plan amendment. In selecting the discount rate, we consider the yield on high-quality bonds with a duration equal to the duration of plan liabilities. At December 31, 201 6 , the discount rates used to measure the benefit obligation for our various plans ranged from 3.43% to 4.41% (December 31, 201 5 ranged from 3.53% to 4.68%) . I n 2016, we chang ed our method to estimate the service and interest cost components of net periodic benefit cost for our defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans. Previously , we estimated the service and interest cost components using a single weighted-average discount rate derived from the yield curve used to measure the benefit obligation at the beginning of the period. As of 2016, we elected to use a full yield curve approach to estimate the service and interest cost , applying the specific spot rates along the yield curve to the relevant projected cash flows. We m a de this change to provide a more precise measurement of service and interest costs by improving the correlation between projected benefit cash flows to the corresponding yield curve spot rates . We accounted for this change as a change in estimate and, accordingly, accounted for it prospectively as of 2016. The weighted-average discount rates used to measure service cost and interest cost for 2016 were 4.68% and 3.79% , respectively, for our pension plans and 3.77% and 2.81% , respectively, for our other postretirement plans. Our expected return on plan assets is: (1) a long-term view based on our current asset allocation, and (2) a judgment informed by consultation with our retirement plans’ consultant and our pension plans’ actuary. In estimating the expected return on plan assets, we consider past performance and long-term future expectations for the types of investments held by the plan as well as the expected long-term allocation of plan assets to these investments. At December 31, 201 6 , the expected return on plan assets was reduced to 7.00% (December 31, 2015 was 7.50% ) . Future increases in the per capital cost of healthcare benefits will not increase our postretirement medical benefits obligation as a result of a 2012 plan amendment to cap medical coverage cost at the 2015 level. DE FINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS We sponsor two defined contribution plans. Substantially all salaried and nonunion hourly employees are eligible to be covered by one of these plans. Under these plans, we match employees’ eligible contributions at established rates. Expense recognized in connection with these matching obligations totaled $45,295,000 in 201 6 , $36,085,000 in 201 5 and $29,215,000 in 201 4 .

INCENTIVE PLANS

INCENTIVE PLANS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
INCENTIVE PLANS [Abstract]
INCENTIVE PLANS	NOTE 11: INCENTIVE PLANS SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS Our 20 1 6 Omnibus Long-term Incentive Plan (Plan) authorizes the granting of stock options, Stock-Only Stock Appreciation Rights (SOSARs) and other types of share-based awards to key salaried employees and nonemployee directors. The maximum number of shares that may be issued under the Plan is 8,000,000 . PERFORMANCE SHARES — Each performance share unit is equal to and paid in one share of our common stock, but carries no voting or dividend rights. The number of units ultimately paid for performance share awards may range from 0% to 200% of the number of units awarded on the date of grant. Payment is based upon our Total Shareholder Return (TSR) performance relative to the TSR performance of the S&P 500 ® . Awards vest on December 31 of the fourth year after date of grant. Vesting is accelerated upon reaching retirement age, death, disability, or change of control, all as defined in the award agreement. Nonvested units are forfeited upon termination for any other reason. Expense provisions referable to performance share awards amounted to $12,074,000 in 201 6 , $13,159,000 in 201 5 and $16,863,000 in 201 4 . The fair value of performance shares is estimated as of the date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation model. The following table summarizes the activity for nonvested performance share units during the year ended December 31, 201 6 :     Target Weighted-average  Number Grant Date  of Shares Fair Value  Performance Shares  Nonvested at January 1, 2016 806,339 $ 63.13  Granted 164,498 87.73  Vested (289,424) 53.65  Canceled/forfeited (14,317) 68.49  Nonvested at December 31, 2016 667,096 $ 73.20  During 201 5 and 201 4, the weighted-average gran t d ate fair value of performance shares granted was $74.85 and $63.42 , respectively. The aggregate values for distributed performance share awards are based on the closing price of our common stock as of the distribution date. The aggregate values of distributed performance shares for the years ended December 31 are as follows:     in thousands 2016 2015 2014  Aggregate value of distributed  performance shares $ 60,443 $ 26,258 $ 0  RESTRICTED SHARES — Each restricted share unit is equal to and paid in one share of our common stock, but carries no voting or dividend rights. Awards vest on the fourth anniversary of the grant date . Vesting is accelerated upon reaching retirement age, death, disability, or change of control, all as defined in the award agreement. Nonvested units are forfeited upon termination for any other reason. Expense provisions referable to restricted share awards amounted to $3,004,000 in 2016, $982,000 in 2015 and $704,000 in 2014. The fair value of restricted shares is estimated as of the date of grant based on the stock price adjusted for dividends foregone. The following table summarizes the activity for nonvested restricted share units during the year ended December 31, 201 6 :    Weighted-average  Number Grant Date  of Shares Fair Value  Restricted Stock Units  Nonvested at January 1, 2016 74,000 $ 58.23  Granted 63,350 87.77  Vested 0 0.00  Canceled/forfeited (1,920) 87.77  Nonvested at December 31, 2016 135,430 $ 71.63  Th e weighted-average grant date fair value of restricted shares granted in 201 5 was $74.85 . No restrict ed shares were granted in 2014. There were no distributions of restricted shares during 2016, 2015 and 2014. S TOCK ONLY STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS (S OSAR s) — SOSARs granted have an exercise price equal to the market value of our underlying common stock on the date of grant . Th e SOSARs vest ratably over 4 years and expire 10 years subsequent to the gran t. V esting is accelerated upon reaching retirement age, death, disability, or change of control, all as defined in the award agreement. Nonvested awards are forfeited upon termination for any other reason. The fair value of SOSARs is estimated as of the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Compensation cost fo r SOSARs is based on this gran t d ate fair value and is recognized for awards that ultimately vest. The following table presents the weighted-average fair value and the weighted-average assumptions used in estimating the fair value of grants during the years ended December 31:     2016 2015 2014  SOSARs  Fair value $ 29.20 $ 25.17 $ 21.94  Risk-free interest rate 1.66% 1.85% 2.40%  Dividend yield 1.39% 1.70% 1.64%  Volatility 30.42% 33.00% 33.00%  Expected term 9.00 years 8.00 years 8.00 years  The risk-free interest rate is based on the yield at the date of grant of a U.S. Treasury security with a maturity period approximating the SOSARs expected term. The dividend yield assumption is based on our historical dividend payouts adjusted for current expectations of future payouts. The volatility assumption is based on the historical volatility and expectations about future volatility of our common stock over a period equal to the SOSARs expected term. The expected term is based on historical experience and expectations about future exercises and represents the period of time that SOSARs granted are expected to be outstanding. A summary of our SOSAR activity as of December 31, 201 6 and changes during the year are presented below:     Weighted-average  Remaining Aggregate  Number Weighted-average Contractual Intrinsic Value  of Shares Exercise Price Life (Years) (in thousands)  SOSARs/Stock Options 1  Outstanding at January 1, 2016 3,052,749 $ 58.32  Granted 97,700 92.02  Exercised (753,251) 83.29  Forfeited or expired (4,767) 78.22  Outstanding at December 31, 2016 2,392,431 $ 51.80 4.30 $ 178,558  Vested and expected to vest 2,379,036 $ 51.70 4.28 $ 177,794  Exercisable at December 31, 2016 2,005,030 $ 47.30 3.62 $ 158,651   1 There were no stock options outstanding at December 31, 2016.  The aggregate intrinsic values in the table above represent the total pretax intrinsic value (the difference between our stock price on the last trading day of 201 6 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money S OSARs) that would have been received by the option holders had all S OSARs been exercised on December 31, 201 6 . These values change based on the fair market value of our common stock. The aggregate intrinsic values of S OSARs / stock options exercised for the years ended December 31 are as follows:     in thousands 2016 2015 2014  Aggregate intrinsic value of SOSARs/  stock options exercised $ 27,705 $ 43,620 $ 7,372  T he following table presents cash and stock consideration received and tax benefit realized from stock option/SOSAR exercises and compensation cost recorded referable to S OSARs / s tock options for the years ended December 31:     in thousands 2016 2015 2014  SOSARs/Stock Options  Cash and stock consideration received  from exercises $ 0 $ 72,884 $ 23,199  Tax benefit from exercises 10,767 16,920 2,844  Compensation cost 2,744 2,221 4,650  DEFERRED STOCK UNITS — In addition to the share-based compensation plans for employees discussed above, we issue a limited number of deferred stock units to our nonemployee directors annually. These deferred stock units vest over three years (except for the 2016 grant which vested upon issuance) and accumulate dividends over the vesting period. Expense provisions referable to nonemployee director deferred stock units amounted to $2,848,000 in 2016, $1,886,000 in 2015 and $1,668,000 in 2014. CASH-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS We have incentive plans under which cash awards may be made annually to officers and key employees. Expense provisions referable to these plans amounted to $32,169,000 in 201 6 , $26,325,000 in 201 5 and $27,442,000 in 201 4 .

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	NOTE 12: COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES We have commitments in the form of unconditional purchase obligations as of December 31, 201 6 . These include commitments for the purchase of property, plant & equipment of $132,046,000 and commitments for noncapital purchases of $55,037,000 . These commitments are due as follows:     Unconditional  Purchase  in thousands Obligations  Property, Plant & Equipment  2017 $ 131,846  Thereafter 200  Total $ 132,046  Noncapital (primarily transportation and electricity contracts)  2017 $ 24,402  2018–2019 19,406  2020–2021 7,229  Thereafter 4,000  Total $ 55,037  Commitments for the purchase of property, plant & equipment for 2017 include $85,293,000 for the construction of two new Panamax-class, self-unloading ships. Expenditures under noncapital purchase commitments totaled $60,591,000 in 201 6 , $76,178,000 in 201 5 and $65,582,000 in 201 4 . We have commitments in the form of minimum royalties under mineral leases as of December 31, 201 6 in the amount of $216,241,000 , due as follows:     Mineral  in thousands Leases  Minimum Royalties  2017 $ 22,153  2018–2019 36,196  2020–2021 23,513  Thereafter 134,379  Total $ 216,241  Expenditures for royalties under mineral leases totaled $62,978,000 in 201 6 , $58,048,000 in 201 5 and $49,685,000 in 201 4 . Refer to Note 7 for future minimum nonmineral operating lease payments. Certain of our aggregates reserves are burdened by volumetric production payments (nonoperating interest) as described in Note 1 under the caption Deferred Revenue. As the holder of the working interest, we have responsibility to bear the cost of mining and producing the reserves attributable to this nonoperating interest. As summarized by purpose in Note 6, our standby letters of credit totaled $39,538,000 as of December 31, 201 6 . As described in Note 9, our liability for unrecognized tax benefits is $10,828,000 as of December 31, 201 6 . As described in Note 17, our asset retirement obligations totaled $223,872,000 as of December 31, 2016. LITIGATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS We are subject to occasional governmental proceedings and orders pertaining to occupational safety and health or to protection of the environment, such as proceedings or orders relating to noise abatement, air emissions or water discharges. As part of our continuing program of stewardship in safety, health and environmental matters, we have been able to resolve such proceedings and to comply with such orders without any material adverse effects on our business. We have received notices from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or similar state or local agencies that we are considered a potentially responsible party (PRP) at a limited number of sites under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA or Superfund) or similar state and local environmental laws. Generally we share the cost of remediation at these sites with other PRPs or alleged PRPs in accordance with negotiated or prescribed allocations. There is inherent uncertainty in determining the potential cost of remediating a given site and in determining any individual party's share in that cost. As a result, estimates can change substantially as additional information becomes available regarding the nature or extent of site contamination, remediation methods, other PRPs and their probable level of involvement, and actions by or against governmental agencies or private parties. We have reviewed the nature and extent of our involvement at each Superfund site, as well as potential obligations arising under other federal, state and local environmental laws. While ultimate resolution and financial liability is uncertain at a number of the sites, in our opinion based on information currently available, the ultimate resolution of claims and assessments related to these sites will not have a material effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows, although amounts recorded in a given period could be material to our results of operations or cash flows for that period. Amounts accrued for environmental matters are presented in Note 8. We are a defendant in various lawsuits in the ordinary course of business. It is not possible to determine with precision the outcome, or the amount of liability, if any, under these lawsuits, especially where the cases involve possible jury trials with as yet undetermined jury panels. In addition to these lawsuits in which we are involved in the ordinary course of business, certain other material legal proceedings are specifically described below. § Lower Passaic River Study Area (Superfund Site) — The Lower Passaic River Study Area is part of the Diamond Shamrock Superfund Site in New Jersey. Vulcan and approximately 70 other companies are parties (collectively the Cooperating Parties Group) to a May 2007 Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) with the EPA to perform a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (draft RI/FS) of the lower 17 miles of the Passaic River (River). However, before the draft RI/FS was issued in final form, the EPA issued a record of decision (ROD) in March 2016 that calls for a bank-to-bank dredging remedy for the lower 8 miles of the River. The EPA estimates that the cost of implementing this proposal is $1.38 billion. In September 2016, the EPA entered into an Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent with Occidental Chemical Corporation (Occidental) in which Occidental agreed to undertake the remedial design for this bank-to-bank dredging remedy, and to reimburse the United States for certain response costs. Efforts to remediate the River have been underway for many years and have involved hundreds of entities that have had operations on or near the River at some point during the past several decades. We formerly owned a chemicals operation near the mouth of the River, which was sold in 1974. The major risk drivers in the River have been identified as dioxins, PCBs, DDx and mercury. We did not manufacture any of these risk drivers and have no evidence that any of these were discharged into the River by Vulcan . T he AOC does not obligate us to fund or perform the remedial action contemplated by either the draft RI/FS or the ROD . Furthermore, the parties who will participate in funding the remediation a nd their respective allocation s h ave not been determined. We d o n ot agree that a bank-to-bank remedy is warranted, and we are not obligated to fund any of the remedial action at this time; nevertheless, we previously estimated the cost to be incurred by us as a potential participant in a bank-to-bank dredging remedy and recorded an immaterial loss for this matter in 2015 . § TEXAS BRINE MATTER — During the operation of its former Chemicals Division, Vulcan was the lessee to a salt lease from 1976 – 2005 in an underground salt dome formation in Assumption Parish, Louisiana. The Texas Brine Company (Texas Brine) operated this salt mine for our account. We sold our Chemicals Division in 2005 and assigned the lease to the purchase r a nd we have had no association with the leased premises or Texas Brine since that time. In August 2012, a sinkhole developed near the salt dome and numerous lawsuits were filed in state court in Assumption Parish, Louisiana. Other lawsuits, including class action litigation, were also filed in August 2012 in federal court in the Eastern District of Louisiana in New Orleans. There are numerous defendants to the litigation in state and federal court. Vulcan was first brought into the litigation as a third-party defendant in August 2013 by Texas Brine. We have since been added as a direct and third-party defendant by other parties, including a direct claim by the state of Louisiana. The damages alleged in the litigation range from individual plaintiffs’ claims for property damage, to the state of Louisiana’s claim for response costs, to claims for physical damages to oil pipelines, to business interruption claims. In addition to the plaintiffs’ claims, we have also been sued for contractual indemnity and comparative fault by both Texas Brine and Occidental. The total amount of damages claimed is in excess of $500 million. It is alleged that the sinkhole was caused, in whole or in part, by our negligent actions or failure to act. It is also alleged that we breached the salt lease, as well as an operating agreement and a drilling agreement with Texas Brine; that we are strictly liable for certain property damages in our capacity as a former assignee of the salt lease; and that we violated certain covenants and conditions in the agreement under which we sold our Chemicals Division in 2005. We have made claims for contractual indemnity, comparative fault, and breach of contract against Texas Brine, as well as claims for contractual indemnity and comparative fault against Occidental. Discovery is ongoing and no trials are currently set . In December 2016, we settled with the plaintiffs in one of these cases involving property damages but there are cross-claims remaining against us in that case. In February 2017, we offered to settle with the plaintiffs in the cases involving physical damages to oil pipelines. The insurer s who ha ve coverage at the se settlement amount s agreed that the case s were covered by our policy. An immaterial loss limited to our insurance deductible was recognized during the fourth quarter. Except for these case s , a t this tim e w e cannot reasonably estimate a range of liability pertaining to this matter. § HEWITT LANDFILL MATTER (SUPERFUND SITE) — In September 2015, the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) issued a Cleanup and Abatement Order (CAO) directing Vulcan to assess, monitor, cleanup and abate wastes that have been discharged to soil, soil vapor, and/or groundwater at the former Hewitt Landfill in Los Angeles. The CAO follows a 2014 Investigative Order from the RWQCB that sought data and a technical evaluation regarding the Hewitt Landfill, and a subsequent amendment to the Investigative Order requiring Vulcan to provide groundwater monitoring results to the RWQCB and to create and implement a work plan for further investigation of the Hewitt Landfill. In April 201 6 , we submitted an interim remedial action plan (IRAP) to the RWQCB, proposing a pilot test of a pump and treat system; testing and implementation of a leachate recovery system; and storm water capture and conveyance improvements. We are currently implementing the IRAP, including the drilling and installation of monitoring wells and construction of a treatment plant for a pilot-scale groundwater extraction and re-injection treatment system. The estimated cost to implement the IRAP is fully accrued. Operation of the pilot-sca le treatment system began in January 2017. However, u ntil this pilot testing is complete, we are unable to estimate the cost of remedial action. We are also engaged in an ongoing dialogue with the EPA , the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, and other stakeholders regarding the potential contribution of the Hewitt Landfill to groundwater contamination in the North Hollywood Operable Unit (NHOU) of the San Fernando Valley Superfund Site . We are gathering and analyzing data and developing technical information to determine the extent of possible contribution by the Hewitt Landfill to the groundwater contamination in the area. This work is also intended to assist in identification of other PRPs that may have contributed to groundwater contamination in the area . In July 2016, the EPA sent a letter to us requesting that we enter into an AOC for remedial design work at the NHOU including, but not limited to, the design of two or more groundwater extraction wells to be located south of the Hewitt Landfill. In February 2017 , the EPA sent a draft AOC to us. Vulcan and EPA representatives expect to engage in negotiations for a possible AOC during the first and second quarter s of 2017. It is not possible to predict with certainty the ultimate outcome of these and other legal proceedings in which we are involved and a number of factors, including developments in ongoing discovery or adverse rulings, or the verdict of a particular jury, could cause actual losses to differ materially from accrued costs. No liability was recorded for claims and litigation for which a loss was determined to be only reasonably possible or for which a loss could not be reasonably estimated. Legal costs incurred in defense of lawsuits are expensed as incurred. In addition, losses on certain claims and litigation described above may be subject to limitations on a per occurrence basis by excess insurance, as described in Note 1 under the caption Claims and Litigation Including Self-insurance.

EQUITY

EQUITY	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
EQUITY [Abstract]
EQUITY	NOTE 13: EQUITY Our capital stock consists solely of common stock, par value $1.00 per share. Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share. Our Certificate of Incorporation also authorizes preferred stock, of which no shares have been issued. The terms and provisions of such shares will be determined by our Board of Directors upon any issuance of preferred shares in accordance with our Certificate of Incorporation. In 2014, we issued 715,004 shares of common stock in connection with a business acquisition as described in Note 19. Under a program that was discontinued in the fourth quarter of 2014, we occasionally sold shares of common stock to the trustee of our 401(k) retirement plan to satisfy the plan participants' elections to invest in our common stock. During 2014 , we issued 485,306 shares for cash proceeds of $30,620,000 u nder this arrangement . There were no shares held in treasury as of December 31, 20 16 , 201 5 and 201 4. Our common stock purchases (all of which were open market purchases) for the years ended December 31 are summarized below:    in thousands, except average cost 2016 2015 2014  Shares Purchased and Retired  Number 1,427 228 0  Total cost 1 $ 161,463 $ 21,475 $ 0  Average cost 1 $ 113.18 $ 94.19 $ 0.00   1 Ex cludes commissions of $0.02 per share .  As of December 31, 201 6 , 1,756,757 shares may be purchased under the current purchase authorization of our Board of Directors.

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME [Abstract]
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	NOTE 14: OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME Comprehensive income comprises two subsets: net earnings and other comprehensive income (OCI). The components of other comprehensive income are presented in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and Consolidated Statements of Equity, net of applicable taxes. Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI), net of tax, at December 31, are as follows:     in thousands 2016 2015 2014  AOCI  Cash flow hedges $ (13,300) $ (14,494) $ (20,322)  Pension and postretirement plans (126,076) (105,575) (141,392)  Total $ (139,376) $ (120,069) $ (161,714)  Changes in AOCI, net of tax, for the three year s ended December 31, 201 6 are as follows:    Pension and  Cash Flow Postretirement  in thousands Hedges Benefit Plans Total  AOCI  Balance as of December 31, 2013 $ (25,178) $ (74,453) $ (99,631)  Other comprehensive income (loss)  before reclassifications 0 (69,051) (69,051)  Amounts reclassified from AOCI 4,856 2,112 6,968  Net OCI changes 4,856 (66,939) (62,083)  Balance as of December 31, 2014 $ (20,322) $ (141,392) $ (161,714)  Other comprehensive income (loss)  before reclassifications 0 23,832 23,832  Amounts reclassified from AOCI 5,828 11,985 17,813  Net OCI changes 5,828 35,817 41,645  Balance as of December 31, 2015 $ (14,494) $ (105,575) $ (120,069)  Other comprehensive income (loss)  before reclassifications 0 (20,583) (20,583)  Amounts reclassified from AOCI 1,194 82 1,276  Net OCI changes 1,194 (20,501) (19,307)  Balance as of December 31, 2016 $ (13,300) $ (126,076) $ (139,376)  Amounts reclassified from AOCI to earnings, are as follows:     in thousands 2016 2015 2014  Reclassification Adjustment for Cash Flow  Hedge Losses  Interest expense $ 2,008 $ 9,759 $ 7,988  Benefit from income taxes (814) (3,931) (3,132)  Total 1 $ 1,194 $ 5,828 $ 4,856  Amortization of Pension and Postretirement Plan  Actuarial Loss and Prior Service Cost  Cost of revenues $ 109 $ 15,916 $ 2,789  Selling, administrative and general expenses 25 3,608 688  Benefit from income taxes (52) (7,539) (1,365)  Total 2 $ 82 $ 11,985 $ 2,112  Total reclassifications from AOCI to earnings $ 1,276 $ 17,813 $ 6,968   1 Totals for 2015 and 2014 include the acceleration of a proportional amount of deferred losses on interest rate derivatives (see Note 5) referable to debt purchases (see Note 6). 2 Total for 2015 includes a one-time settlement loss resulting from a lump sum payment to a former employee (see Note 10). Total for 2014 includes a one-time curtailment gain (see Note 10) resulting from the sale of our cement and concrete businesses in the Florida area (see Note 19).

SEGMENT REPORTING

SEGMENT REPORTING	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
SEGMENT REPORTING [Abstract]
SEGMENT REPORTING	NOTE 15: SEGMENT REPORTING We have four operating (and reportable ) segments organized around our principal product lines: Aggregates, Asphalt Mix, Concrete and Calcium. The Aggregates segment produces and sells aggregates (crushed stone, sand and gravel, sand, and other aggregates) and related products and services (transportation and other). During 201 6 , the Aggregates segment principally served markets in twenty states, Washington D.C. and Mexico with a full line of aggregates, and two additional states with railroad ballast. Customers use aggregates primarily in the construction and maintenance of highways, streets and other public works and in the construction of housing and commercial, industrial and other nonresidential facilities. Customers are served by truck, rail and water distribution networks from our production facilities and sales yards. Due to the high weight-to-value ratio of aggregates, markets generally are local in nature. Quarries located on waterways and rail lines allow us to serve remote markets where local aggregates reserves may not be available. The Asphalt Mix segment produces and sells asphalt mix in four states primarily in our southwestern and western markets. The Concrete segment produces and sells ready-mixed concrete in six states, Washington D.C. and an immaterial amount in the Bahamas. In January 2015, we swapped our ready-mixed concrete operations in California (see Note 19) for asphalt mix operations, primarily in Arizona. In March 2014, we sold our concrete business in the Florida area (see Note 19) which in addition to ready-mixed concrete, included concrete block, precast concrete, as well as building materials purchased for resale. The Calcium segment consists of a Florida facility that mines, produces and sells calcium products. Before the sale of our cement business in March 2014 (see Note 19), we produced and sold Portland and masonry cement in both bulk and bags from our Florida cement plant and imported and exported cement, clinker and slag and either resold, ground, blended, bagged or reprocessed those materials from other Florida facilities. Aggregates comprise approximately 95% of asphalt mix by weight and 80% of ready-mixed concrete by weight. Our Asphalt Mix and Concrete segments are primarily supplied with their aggregates requirements from our Aggregates segment. These intersegment sales are made at local market prices for the particular grade and quality of product use d in the production of asphalt mix and ready-mixed concrete. Customers for our Asphalt Mix and Concrete segments are generally served locally at our production facilities or by truck. Because asphalt mix and ready-mixed concrete harden rapidly, delivery is time constrained and generally confined to a radius of approximately 20 to 25 miles from the producing facility. The vast majority of our activities are domestic. We sell a relatively small amount of construction aggregates outside the United States. Total domestic revenues were $3,579,427,000 in 2016, $3,410,773,000 in 2015 and $2,979,470,000 in 2014. Nondomestic Aggregates segment revenues were $13,240,000 in 201 6 , $11,408,000 in 201 5 and $14,699,000 in 201 4; there were no significant nondomestic revenues in our Asphalt Mix, Concrete or Calcium segments. Long-lived assets outside the United States, which consist primarily of property, plant & equipment, were $188,652,000 in 201 6 , $160,125,000 in 201 5 and $139,427,000 in 201 4 . Equity method investments of $22,965,000 in 201 6 , $22,967,000 in 201 5 and $22,924,000 in 201 4 are included below in the identifiable assets for the Aggregates segment . SEGMENT FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE     in thousands 2016 2015 2014  Total Revenues  Aggregates 1 $ 2,961,835 $ 2,777,758 $ 2,346,411  Asphalt Mix 2 512,310 530,692 445,538  Concrete 2, 3 330,125 299,252 375,806  Calcium 4 8,860 8,596 25,032  Segment sales $ 3,813,130 $ 3,616,298 $ 3,192,787  Aggregates intersegment sales (220,463) (194,117) (189,393)  Calcium intersegment sales 0 0 (9,225)  Total revenues $ 3,592,667 $ 3,422,181 $ 2,994,169  Gross Profit  Aggregates $ 873,118 $ 755,666 $ 544,070  Asphalt Mix 2 97,682 78,225 38,080  Concrete 2, 3 26,543 20,152 2,233  Calcium 4 3,474 3,490 3,199  Total $ 1,000,817 $ 857,533 $ 587,582  Depreciation, Depletion, Accretion and Amortization (DDA&A)  Aggregates $ 236,472 $ 228,466 $ 227,042  Asphalt Mix 2 16,797 16,378 10,719  Concrete 2, 3 12,129 11,374 19,892  Calcium 4 774 679 1,554  Other 18,768 17,926 20,290  Total $ 284,940 $ 274,823 $ 279,497  Capital Expenditures 5  Aggregates $ 297,737 $ 269,014 $ 180,026  Asphalt Mix 2 29,002 8,111 20,796  Concrete 2, 3 10,047 19,053 19,542  Calcium 4 534 0 201  Corporate 7,621 7,846 2,532  Total $ 344,941 $ 304,024 $ 223,097  Identifiable Assets 6  Aggregates $ 7,589,225 $ 7,540,273 $ 7,311,336  Asphalt Mix 2 259,514 251,716 264,172  Concrete 2, 3 192,673 198,193 227,000  Calcium 4 4,959 5,509 5,818  Total identifiable assets $ 8,046,371 $ 7,995,691 $ 7,808,326  General corporate assets 166,118 21,881 91,498  Cash and cash equivalents 258,986 284,060 141,273  Total assets $ 8,471,475 $ 8,301,632 $ 8,041,097   1 Includes product sales, as well as freight, delivery and transportation revenues, and other revenues related to services. 2 In January 2015, we exchanged our California ready-mixed concrete operations for 13 asphalt mix plants, primarily in Arizona (see Note 19). 3 In March 2014, we sold our concrete business in the Florida area (see Note 19). 4 Includes cement and calcium products. In March 2014, we sold our cement business (see Note 19). 5 Capital expenditures include capitalized replacements of and additions to property, plant & equipment, including capitalized leases, renewals and betterments. Capital expenditures exclude property, plant & equipment obtained by business acquisitions. 6 Certain temporarily idled assets are included within a segment's Identifiable Assets but the associated DDA&A is shown within Other in the DDA&A section above as the related DDA&A is excluded from segment gross profit.

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMAT

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION [Abstract]
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION	NOTE 16: SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION Supplemental information referable to the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows is summarized below:     in thousands 2016 2015 2014  Cash Payments  Interest (exclusive of amount capitalized) $ 135,039 $ 208,288 $ 241,841  Income taxes 102,849 53,623 79,862  Noncash Investing and Financing Activities  Accrued liabilities for purchases of property,  plant & equipment $ 26,676 $ 31,883 $ 17,120  Amounts referable to business acquisitions  Liabilities assumed 798 2,645 26,622  Fair value of noncash assets and liabilities exchanged 0 20,000 2,414  Fair value of equity consideration 0 0 45,185 

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS [Abstract]
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS	NOTE 17: ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS Asset retirement obligations (AROs) are legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets resulting from the acquisition, construction, development and/or normal use of the underlying assets. Recognition of a liability for an ARO is required in the period in which it is incurred at its estimated fair value. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the underlying asset and depreciated over the estimated useful life of the asset. The liability is accreted through charges to operating expenses. If the ARO is settled for other than the carrying amount of the liability, we recognize a gain or loss on settlement. We record all AROs for which we have legal obligations for land reclamation at estimated fair value. Essentially all these AROs relate to our underlying land parcels, including both owned properties and mineral leases. For the years ended December 31, we recognized ARO operating costs related to accretion of the liabilities and depreciation of the assets as follows:     in thousands 2016 2015 2014  ARO Operating Costs  Accretion $ 11,059 $ 11,474 $ 11,601  Depreciation 6,353 6,515 4,462  Total $ 17,412 $ 17,989 $ 16,063  ARO operating costs are reported in cost of revenues. AROs are reported within other noncurrent liabilities in our accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Reconciliations of the carrying amounts of our AROs for the years ended December 31 are as follows:     in thousands 2016 2015  Asset Retirement Obligations  Balance at beginning of year $ 226,594 $ 226,565  Liabilities incurred 505 6,235  Liabilities settled (17,114) (18,048)  Accretion expense 11,059 11,474  Revisions, net 2,828 368  Balance at end of year $ 223,872 $ 226,594  The ARO liabilities incurred during 20 16 and 201 5 r elate primarily to acquisitions (see Note 19). ARO liabilities settled during 2016 and 201 5 i nclude $12,602,000 and $13,117,000 , r espectively, of reclamation activities required under a development agreement and conditional use permits at two adjacent aggregates sites on owned p roperty in Southern California. The reclamation required under the development agreement will result in the restoration and development of 90 acres of previously mined property suitable for commercial and retail development.

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS [Abstract]
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS	NOTE 18: GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS Acquired identifiable intangible assets are classified into three categories: (1) goodwill, (2) intangible assets with finite lives subject to amortization and (3) intangible assets with indefinite lives. Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized; rather, they are reviewed for impairment at least annually. For additional information about our policies on impairment reviews, see Note 1 under the captions Goodwill and Goodwill Impairment, and Impairment of Long-lived Assets excluding Goodwill. GOODWILL Goodwill is recognized when the consideration paid for a business exceeds the fair value of the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired. Goodwill is allocated to reporting units for purposes of testing goodwill for impairment. There were no charges for goodwill impairment in the years ended December 31, 20 16 , 201 5 and 201 4 . We have four reportable segments organized around our principal product lines: Aggregates, Asphalt Mix, Concrete and Calcium. Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment for the years ended December 31, 201 6 , 201 5 and 201 4 are summarized below:     in thousands Aggregates Asphalt Mix Concrete Calcium Total  Goodwill  Total as of December 31, 2014 $ 3,003,191 $ 91,633 $ 0 $ 0 $ 3,094,824  Total as of December 31, 2015 $ 3,003,191 $ 91,633 $ 0 $ 0 $ 3,094,824  Total as of December 31, 2016 $ 3,003,191 $ 91,633 $ 0 $ 0 $ 3,094,824  We test goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently if events or circumstances change in a manner that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. A decrease in the estimated fair value of one or more of our reporting units could result in the recognition of a material, noncash write-down of goodwill. INTANGIBLE ASSETS Intangible assets acquired in business combinations are stated at their fair value determined as of the date of acquisition. Costs incurred to renew or extend the life of existing intangible assets are capitalized. These capitalized renewal/extension costs were immaterial for the years presented. Intangible assets consist of contractual rights in place (primarily permitting and zoning rights), noncompetition agreements, favorable lease agreements, customer relationships and trade names and trademarks. Intangible assets acquired individually or otherwise obtained outside a business combination consist primarily of permitting, permitting compliance and zoning rights and are stated at their historical cost less accumulated amortization. See Note 19 for the details of the intangible assets acquired in business acquisitions during 2016 , 201 5 and 201 4 . Amortization of finite-lived intangible assets is computed based on the estimated life of the intangible assets. Contractual rights in place associated with aggregates reserves are amortized using the unit-of-production method based on estimated recoverable units. Other intangible assets are amortized principally by the straight-line method. Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. As shown in Note 1 under the caption Fair Value Measurements, we incurred $8,180,000 and $2,858,000 of impairment charges related to intangible assets in 2016 and 2015 , respectively . There were no charges for impairment of intangible assets in 20 14. The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization by major intangible asset class for the years ended December 31 are summarized below:     in thousands 2016 2015  Gross Carrying Amount  Contractual rights in place $ 742,085 $ 735,935  Noncompetition agreements 6,757 2,800  Favorable lease agreements 9,479 16,677  Permitting, permitting compliance and zoning rights 112,058 99,513  Other 1 4,171 4,092  Total gross carrying amount $ 874,550 $ 859,017  Accumulated Amortization  Contractual rights in place $ (77,515) $ (65,641)  Noncompetition agreements (1,118) (506)  Favorable lease agreements (2,822) (4,002)  Permitting, permitting compliance and zoning rights (21,701) (20,350)  Other 1 (2,342) (1,939)  Total accumulated amortization $ (105,498) $ (92,438)  Total Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization, net $ 769,052 $ 766,579  Intangible Assets with Indefinite Lives 0 0  Total Intangible Assets, net $ 769,052 $ 766,579  Amortization Expense for the Year $ 17,565 $ 15,618   1 Includes customer relationships and tradenames and trademarks.  Estimated amortization expense for the five years subsequent to December 31, 201 6 is as follows:     in thousands  Estimated Amortization Expense for Five Subsequent Years  2017 $ 16,308  2018 15,941  2019 16,222  2020 15,488  2021 14,288

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES [Abstract]
ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES	NOTE 19: ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS During 201 6 , the following assets were acquired for $ 33,287,000 of consideration ( $32,537,000 cash and $750,000 payable ): § an asphalt mix operation in New Mexico § an aggregates facility in Texas § a distribution business to complement our aggregates logistics and distribution activities in Georgia None of the 201 6 acquisitions listed above are material to our results of operations or financial position either individually or collectively. The fair value of consideration transferred for these acquisitions and the preliminary amounts of assets acquired and liabilities assumed (based on their estimated fair values at their acquisition dates), are summarized below:     in thousands 2016  Fair Value of Purchase Consideration  Cash $ 32,537  Payable to seller 750  Total fair value of purchase consideration $ 33,287  Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed  Accounts and notes receivable, net $ 1,034  Inventories 169  Property, plant & equipment, net 15,462  Other intangible assets  Contractual rights in place 15,213  Noncompetition agreement 1,457  Liabilities assumed (48)  Net identifiable assets acquired $ 33,287  Goodwill $ 0  Estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are preliminary pending appraisals of contractual rights in place and property, plan t & equipment. As a result of these 201 6 acquisitions, we recognized $ 16,670,000 of amortizable intangible assets (primarily contractual rights in place).The contractual rights in place noted above will be amortized against earnings ( $ 6,798,000 - straight-line over 20 years and $8,415,000 - units of production over an estimated 20 years) and deductible for income tax purposes over 15 years. During 2015, the following assets were acquired for $ 47,198,000 of consideration ( $27,198,000 cash and $20,000,000 exchanges of real property and businesses ( twelve California ready-mixed concrete operations ) ): § one aggregates facility in Tennessee § three aggregates facilities and seven ready-mixed concrete operations in Arizona and New Mexico § thirteen asphalt mix operations , primarily in Arizona None of the 201 5 acquisitions listed above were material to our results of operations or financial position either individually or collectively. As a result of these 2015 acquisitions, we recognized $17,734,000 of amortizable intangible assets ( $17,484,000 contractual rights in place and $250,000 noncompetition agreement ). The contractual rights in place will be amortized against earnings ( $ 7,168,000 - straight-line over 20 years and $10,317,000 - units of production over an estimated 34 years) and deductible for income tax purposes over 15 years. During 2014, we purchased the following for total consideration of $ 331,836 ,000 ( $284,237,000 cash, $2,414,000 exchanges of real property and businesses and $45,185,000 of our common stock ( 715,004 shares)): § two portable asphalt plants and an aggregates facility in southern California § five aggregates facilities and associated downstream assets in Arizona and New Mexico § two aggregates facilities in Delaware, serving northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. § four aggregates facilities in the San Francisco Bay Area § a rail-connected aggregates operation and two distribution yards that serve the greater Dallas/Fort Worth market § a permitted aggregates quarry in Alabama None of the 2014 acquisitions listed above were material to our results of operations or financial position either individually or collectively. As a result of these 2014 acquisitions, we recognized $128,286,000 of amortizable intangible assets (primarily contractual rights in place). The contractual rights in place will be amortized against earnings using the unit-of-production method over an estimated weighted-average period in excess of 40 years and all but $36,921,000 will be deductible for income tax purposes over 15 years. The $13,303,000 of goodwill recognized (none of which will be deductible for income tax purposes) represents the balance of deferred tax liabilities generated from carrying over the seller’s tax basis in the assets acquired. DIVESTITURES In 201 6 , we sold: § Fourth quarter — surplus land in California and Virginia for net pretax cash proceeds of $19,185,000 resulting i n p retax gain s of $11,871,000 § Fourth quarter — plant relocatio n r eimbursement in Virginia for net pretax cash proceeds of $6,000,000 resulting in a pretax gain of $4,335,000 (this item is presented within o ther operating expens e i n the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income) As noted above, in 2015 ( first quarter ) , we exchanged twelve ready-mixed concrete operations in California (representing all of our California concrete operations) for thirteen asphalt mix plants (primarily in Arizona) resulting in a pretax gain of $5,886, 000 . In 2014, we sold: § First quarter — our cement and concrete businesses in the Florida area for net pretax cash proceeds of $721,359,000 resulting in a pretax gain of $227,910,000 . We retained all of our Florida aggregates operations, our former Cement segment’s calcium operation in Brooksville, Florida and real estate associated with certain former ready-mixed concrete facilities. Under a separate supply agreement, we continue to provide aggregates to the divested concrete facilities, at market prices, for a period of 20 years. As a result of the continuing cash flows (generated via the supply agreement and the retained operation and assets), the disposition is not reported as discontinued operations § First quarter — a previously mined and subsequently reclaimed tract of land in Maryland (Aggregates segment) for net pretax cash proceeds of $10,727,000 resulting in a pretax gain of $168,000 § First quarter — unimproved land in Tennessee previously containing a sales yard (Aggregates segment) for net pretax cash proceeds of $5,820,000 resulting in a pretax gain of $5,790,00 0

UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTARY DATA	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTARY DATA [Abstract]
UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTARY DATA	NOTE 20: UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTARY DATA The following is a summary of selected quarterly financial information (unaudited) for each of the years ended December 31, 201 6 and 201 5 :     2016  Three Months Ended  in thousands, except per share data March 31 June 30 Sept 30 Dec 31  Total revenues $ 754,728 $ 956,825 $ 1,008,140 $ 872,974  Gross profit 164,718 292,184 304,209 239,706  Operating earnings 64,921 213,786 227,076 173,799  Earnings from continuing operations 1 41,965 127,241 145,137 108,063  Net earnings 1 40,158 124,709 142,024 112,600  Basic earnings per share from continuing operations 1 $ 0.31 $ 0.95 $ 1.09 $ 0.82  Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations 1 $ 0.31 $ 0.93 $ 1.07 $ 0.80  Basic net earnings per share 1 $ 0.30 $ 0.93 $ 1.07 $ 0.85  Diluted net earnings per share 1 $ 0.30 $ 0.92 $ 1.05 $ 0.83   1 Amounts are revised to reflect the early adoption of ASU 2016-09 (See Note 1, caption Accounting Standards Recently Adopted) in the fourth quarter of 2016 and presented as adopted as of the beginning of the year. Earnings from continuing operations and Net earnings were increased, as follows: March 31 — $21,234,000 ( $0.16 per share); June 30 — $959,000 ( $0.01 in diluted net earnings per share only ) ; and September 30 — $2,259,000 ( $0.02 per share basic and $0.01 per share diluted).      2015  Three Months Ended  in thousands, except per share data March 31 June 30 Sept 30 Dec 31  Total revenues $ 631,293 $ 895,143 $ 1,038,460 $ 857,285  Gross profit 77,865 234,449 291,290 253,929  Operating earnings 10,759 153,776 212,206 173,037  Earnings (loss) from continuing operations (36,667) 49,819 126,202 93,560  Net earnings (loss) (39,678) 48,162 123,805 88,888  Basic earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations $ (0.28) $ 0.37 $ 0.95 $ 0.70  Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations $ (0.28) $ 0.37 $ 0.93 $ 0.69  Basic net earnings (loss) per share $ (0.30) $ 0.36 $ 0.93 $ 0.67  Diluted net earnings (loss) per share $ (0.30) $ 0.36 $ 0.91 $ 0.65 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN28

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]
NATURE OF OPERATIONS	NATURE OF OPERATIONS Vulcan Materials Company (the "Company," "Vulcan," "we," "our"), a New Jersey corporation, i s t he nation's largest supplier of construction aggregates (primarily crushed stone, sand and gravel) and a major producer of asphalt mix and ready-mixed concrete. We serve markets in twenty states, Washington D.C., and the local markets surrounding our operations in Mexico and the Bahamas. Our primary focus is serving states in metropolitan markets in the United States that are expected to experience the most significant growth in population, households and employment. These three demographic factors are significant drivers of demand for aggregates. While aggregates is our focus and primary business, we produce and sell asphalt mix and/or ready-mixed concrete in our mid-Atlantic, Georgia, Southwestern and Western markets. Due to the 2005 sale of our Chemicals business as described in Note 2, the results of the Chemicals business are presented as discontinued operations in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION	PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Vulcan Materials Company and all our majority or wholly-owned subsidiary companies. All intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.
USE OF ESTIMATES IN THE PREPARATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS	USE OF ESTIMATES IN THE PREPARATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The preparation of these financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted (GAAP) in the United States of America requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the related disclosures of contingent assets and contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements. We evaluate these estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis and base our estimates on historical experience, current conditions and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The results of these estimates form the basis for our judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities as well as identifying and assessing the accounting treatment with respect to commitments and contingencies. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates. The most significant estimates included in the preparation of these financial statements are related to goodwill and long-lived asset impairment s, p ension and other postretirement benefits, environmental compliance, claims and litigation including self-insurance, and income taxes.
BUSINESS COMBINATONS	BUSINESS COMBINA TIO NS We account for business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting. The total cost of acquisitions is allocated to the underlying identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their respective fair values. Determining the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires judgment and often involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions.
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS	FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS The U. S . dollar is the functional currency for all of our operations. For our non-U.S. subsidiaries, local currency inventories and long-term assets such as property, plant & equipment and intangibles are remeasured into U.S. dollars at approximate rates prevailing when acquired; all other assets and liabilities are remeasured at year-end exchange rates. Inventories charged to cost of sales and depreciation are remeasured at historical rates; all other income and expense items are remeasured at average exchange rates prevailing during the year. Gains and losses which result from remeasurement are included in earnings and are not material for the years presented.
CASH EQUIVALENTS	CASH EQUIVALENTS We classify as cash equivalents all highly liquid securities with a maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase. The carrying amount of these securities approximates fair value due to their short-term maturities.
RESTRICTED CASH	RESTRICTED CASH Restricted cash consists of cash proceeds from the sale of property held in escrow for the acquisition of replacement property under like-kind exchange agreements. The escrow accounts are administered by an intermediary. Pursuant to the like-kind exchange agreements, the cash remains restricted for a maximum of 180 days from the date of the property sale pending the acquisition of replacement property. Changes in restricted cash balances are reflected as an investment activity in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
ACCOUNTS AND NOTES RECEIVABLE	ACCOUNTS AND NOTES RECEIVABLE Accounts and notes receivable from customers result from our extending credit to trade customers for the purchase of our products. The terms generally provide for payment within 30 days of being invoiced. On occasion, when necessary to conform to regional industry practices, we sell product under extended payment terms, which may result in either secured or unsecured short-term notes; or, on occasion, notes with durations of less than one year are taken in settlement of existing accounts receivable. Other accounts and notes receivable result from short-term transactions (less than one year) other than the sale of our products, such as interest receivable; insurance claims; freight claims; tax refund claims; bid deposits or rents receivable. Receivables are aged and appropriate allowances for doubtful accounts and bad debt expense are recorded. Bad debt expense (income) for the years ended December 31 was as follows: 2016 — $(1,190,000) , 2015 — $1,450,000 and 2014 — $2,031,000 . Write-offs of accounts receivables for the years ended December 31 were as follows: 2016 — $1,544,000 , 2015 — $1,483,000 and 2014 — $2,561,000 . The bad debt income in 2016 relates to the collection of previously reserved receivables primarily attributable to the 2014 sale of our Florida area concrete and cement businesses.
INVENTORIES	INVENTORIES Inventories and supplies are stated at the lower of cost or market. We use the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method of valuation for most of our inventories because it results in a better matching of costs with revenues. Such costs include fuel, parts and supplies, raw materials, direct labor and production overhead. An actual valuation of inventory under the LIFO method can be made only at the end of each year based on the inventory levels and costs at that time. Accordingly, interim LIFO calculations are based on our estimates of expected year-end inventory levels and costs and are subject to the final year-end LIFO inventory valuation. Substantially all operating supplies inventory is carried at average cost. For additional information about our inventories see Note 3.
PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT	PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT Property, plant & equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization. The cost of properties held under capital leases, if any, is equal to the lower of the net present value of the minimum lease payments or the fair value of the leased property at the inception of the lease. Capitalized software costs of $4,732,000 and $7,003,000 are reflected in net property, plant & equipment as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. We capitalized software costs for the years ended December 31 as follows: 2016 — $152,000 , 2015 — $1,482,000 and 2014 — $921,000 . For additional information about our property, plant & equipment see Note 4.
REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE	REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE Repair and maintenance costs generally are charged to operating expense as incurred. Renewals and betterments that add materially to the utility or useful lives of property, plant & equipment are capitalized and subsequently depreciated. Actual costs for planned major maintenance activities, related primarily to periodic overhauls on our oceangoing vessels, are capitalized and amortized to the next overhaul.
DEPRECIATION, DEPLETION, ACCRETION AND AMORTIZATION	DEPRECIATION, DEPLETION, ACCRETION AND AMORTIZATION Depreciation is generally computed by the straight-line method at rates based on the estimated service lives of the various classes of assets, which include machinery and equipment ( 3 to 25 years), buildings ( 7 to 20 years) and land improvements ( 8 to 20 years). Capitalized software costs are included in machinery and equipment and are depreciated on a straight-line basis beginning when the software project is substantially complete. Cost depletion on depletable land is computed by the unit-of-production method based on estimated recoverable units. Accretion reflects the period-to-period increase in the carrying amount of the liability for asset retirement obligations. It is computed using the same credit-adjusted, risk-free rate used to initially measure the liability at fair value. Leaseholds are amortized over varying periods not in excess of applicable lease terms or estimated useful lives. Amortization of intangible assets subject to amortization is computed based on the estimated life of the intangible assets. A significant portion of our intangible assets is contractual rights in place associated with zoning, permitting and other rights to access and extract aggregates reserves. Contractual rights in place associated with aggregates reserves are amortized using the unit-of-production method based on estimated recoverable units. Other intangible assets are amortized principally by the straight-line method. Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization expense for the years ended December 31 is outlined below:     in thousands 2016 2015 2014  Depreciation, Depletion, Accretion and Amortization  Depreciation $ 238,237 $ 228,866 $ 239,611  Depletion 17,812 18,177 16,741  Accretion 11,059 11,474 11,601  Amortization of leaseholds 267 688 578  Amortization of intangibles 17,565 15,618 10,966  Total $ 284,940 $ 274,823 $ 279,497 
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS	DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS We periodically use derivative instruments to manage our mix of fixed-rate and floating-rate debt and to manage our exposure to currency exchange risk or price fluctuations on commodity energy sources consistent with our risk management policies. We do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes. Additional disclosures about our derivative instruments are presented in Note 5.
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels as described below: Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities Level 2: Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data Level 3: Inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement Our assets at December 31 subject to fair value measurement on a recurring basis are summarized below:     Level 1 Fair Value  in thousands 2016 2015  Fair Value Recurring  Rabbi Trust  Mutual funds $ 6,883 $ 11,472  Equities 10,033 8,992  Total $ 16,916 $ 20,464     Level 2 Fair Value  in thousands 2016 2015  Fair Value Recurring  Rabbi Trust  Money market mutual fund $ 1,705 $ 2,124  Total $ 1,705 $ 2,124  We hav e t wo Rabbi Trusts for the purpose of providing a level of security for the employee nonqualified retirement and deferred compensation plans and for the directors' nonqualified deferred compensation plans. The fair values of these investments are estimated using a market approach. The Level 1 investments include mutual funds and equity securities for which quoted prices in active markets are available. Level 2 investments are stated at estimated fair value based on the underlying investments in the fund (short-term, highly liquid assets in commercial paper, short-term bonds and certificates of deposit). Net gains (losses) of the Rabbi Trust s’ investments were $2,741,000 , $(1,517,000) and $1,169,000 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The portions of the net gains (losses) related to investments still held by the Rabbi Trusts at December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were $1,599,000 , $(1,769,000) and $(1,049,000 ) , respectively. The 2016 decrease of $3,967,000 in total Rabbi Trust asset fair value s is primarily due t o s everal retired executives receiving distributions from the nonqualified retirement and deferred compensation plans. The carrying values of our cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts and notes receivable, short-term debt, trade payables and accruals, and all other current liabilities approximate their fair values because of the short-term nature of these instruments. Additional disclosures for derivative instruments and interest-bearing debt are presented in Notes 5 and 6, respectively. Assets subject to fair value measurement on a nonrecurring basis in 2016 and 2015 are summarized below:     Year ending December 31, 2016 Year ending December 31, 2015  Impairment Impairment  in thousands Level 2 Charges Level 2 Charges  Fair Value Nonrecurring  Property, plant & equipment $ 0 $ 1,359 $ 0 $ 2,176  Other intangible assets, net 0 8,180 0 2,858  Other assets 0 967 0 156  Totals $ 0 $ 10,506 $ 0 $ 5,190  We recorded $10,506,000 and $5,190,000 of losses on impairment of long-lived assets in 2016 and 2015, respectively, reducing the carrying value of these Aggregates segment assets to their estimated fair values of $0 and $0 . Fair value was estimated using a market approach (observed transactions involving comparable assets in similar locations).
GOODWILL IMPAIRMENT	G OODWILL IMPAIRMENT Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of net assets acquired in business combinations over the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Goodwill impairment exists when the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. As of December 31, 2016, goodwill totaled $3,094,824, 000 , the same as at December 31, 2015. Goodwill represents 37% of total assets at December 31, 2016 , the same as at December 31, 2015. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually, as of November 1, or more frequently whenever events or changes in circumstances would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level, one level below our operating segments. We have four operating segments organized around our principal product lines: Aggregates, Asphalt Mix, Concrete and Calcium. Within these four operating segments, we have identified 18 reporting units (of which 9 carry goodwill) based primarily on geographic location. We have the option of either assessing qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the carrying value of our reporting units exceeds their respective fair value or proceeding directly to a two-step quantitative test. We elected to perform the quantitative impairment test for all years presented. The first step of the quantitative impairment test identifies potential impairment by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill of the reporting unit is not considered impaired and the second step of the impairment test is not required. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the impairment test is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. The second step of the quantitative impairment test compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by hypothetically allocating the fair value of the reporting unit to its identifiable assets and liabilities in a manner consistent with a business combination, with any excess fair value representing implied goodwill. If the carrying value of the reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. The results of the first step of the annual impairment tests performed as of November 1, 20 16 , 2015 and 2014 indicated that the fair values of all reporting units with goodwill substantially exceeded their carrying values. Accordingly, there were no charges for goodwill impairment in the years ended December 31, 20 16 , 2015 or 2014. We estimate the fair values of the reporting units using both an income approach (which involves discounting estimated future cash flows) and a market approach (which involves the application of revenue and EBITDA multiples of comparable companies). Determining the fair value of our reporting units involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions and considerable management judgment. We base our fair value estimates on assumptions we believe to be reasonable at the time, but such assumptions are subject to inherent uncertainty and actual results may differ. Changes in key assumptions or management judgment with respect to a reporting unit or its prospects, which may result from a change in market conditions, market trends, interest rates or other factors outside of our control, or underperformance relative to historical or projected operating results, could result in a significantly different estimate of the fair value of our reporting units, which could result in an impairment charge in the future. For additional information about goodwill see Note 18.
IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS EXCLUDING GOODWILL	IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS EXCLUDING GOODWILL We evaluate the carrying value of long-lived assets, including intangible assets subject to amortization, when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The carrying value of long-lived assets is considered impaired when the estimated undiscounted cash flows from such assets are less than their carrying value. In that event, we recognize a loss equal to the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value. Fair value is determined primarily by using a discounted cash flow methodology that requires considerable judgment and assumptions. Our estimate of net future cash flows is based on historical experience and assumptions of future trends, which may be different from actual results. We periodically review the appropriateness of the estimated useful lives of our long-lived assets. We test long-lived assets for impairment at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets. As a result, our long-lived asset impairment test is at a significantly lower level than the level at which we test goodwill for impairment. In markets where we do not produce downstream products (e.g., asphalt mix and ready-mixed concrete), the lowest level of largely independent identifiable cash flows is at the individual aggregates operation or a group of aggregates operations collectively serving a local market. Conversely, in vertically integrated markets, the cash flows of our downstream and upstream businesses are not largely independently identifiable as the selling price of the upstream products (aggregates) determines the profitability of the downstream business. As of December 31, 2016, net property, plant & equipment represents 39% of total assets, while net other intangible assets represents 9% of total assets. During 2016, we recorded a $10,506,000 loss on impairment of long-lived assets resulting from the termination of a nonstrategic aggregates lease and the write off of nonrecoverable project costs related to two Aggregates segment capital projects that we no longer intend to complete . During 2015, we recorded a $5,190,000 impairment loss related to exiting a lease for an aggregates site. During 2014, we recorded a $3,095,000 i mpairment loss related primarily to assets retained in the divestiture of our cement and concrete businesses in the Florida area (see Note 19). For additional information about long-lived assets and intangible assets see Notes 4 and 18.
TOTAL REVENUES AND REVENUE RECOGNITION	TOTAL REVENUES AND REVENUE RECOGNITION Total revenues include sales of product to customers, net of any discounts and taxes, and freight and delivery revenues billed to customers. Freight and delivery generally represents pass-through transportation we incur (including our administrative costs) and pay to third-party carriers to deliver our products to customers. The cost related to freight and delivery is included in cost of revenues. Revenue is recognized at the time the selling price is fixed, the product's title is transferred to the buyer and collectibility of the sales proceeds is reasonably assured (typically occurs when finished products are shipped to the customer).
SALES TAXES	SALES TAXES Sales taxes collected from customers are recorded as liabilities (within other current liabilities) until remitted to taxing authorities and therefore, are not reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
DEFERRED REVENUE	DEFERRED REVENUE In 2013 and 2012, we sold a percentage interest in future production structured as volumetric production payments (VPPs). The VPPs: § relate to eight quarries in Georgia and South Carolina § provide the purchaser solely with a nonoperating percentage interest in the subject quarries’ future production from aggregates reserves § are both time and volume limited § contain no minimum annual or cumulative production or sales volume, nor minimum sales price Our consolidated total revenues excludes the sales of aggregates owned by the VPP purchaser. We received net cash proceeds from the sale of the VPPs of $153,282,000 and $73,644,000 for the 2013 and 2012 transactions, respectively. These proceeds were recorded as deferred revenue on the balance sheet and are amortized to revenue on a unit-of-sales basis over the terms of the VPPs (expected to be approximately 25 years, limited by volume rather than time). Reconciliation of the deferred revenue balances (current and noncurrent) is as follows:    in thousands 2016 2015 2014  Deferred Revenue  Balance at beginning of year $ 214,060 $ 219,968 $ 224,743  Cash received and revenue deferred 0 0 187  Amortization of deferred revenue (7,592) (5,908) (4,962)  Balance at end of year $ 206,468 $ 214,060 $ 219,968  Based on expected s ales from the specified quarries, we expect to recognize approximately $8,080,000 of deferred revenue as income i n 2 017 (reflected in other current liabilities in our 2016 Consolidated Balance Sheet).
STRIPPING COSTS	STRIPPING COSTS In the mining industry, the costs of removing overburden and waste materials to access mineral deposits are referred to as stripping costs. Stripping costs incurred during the production phase are considered costs of extracted minerals under our inventory costing system, inventoried, and recognized in cost of sales in the same period as the revenue from the sale of the inventory. The production stage is deemed to begin when the activities, including removal of overburden and waste material that may contain incidental saleable material, required to access the saleable product are complete. Stripping costs considered as production costs and included in the costs of inventory produced were $55,987,000 in 2016, $50,409,000 in 2015 and $44,896,000 in 2014. Conversely, stripping costs incurred during the development stage of a mine (pre-production stripping) are excluded from our inventory cost. Pre-production stripping costs are capitalized and reported within other noncurrent assets in our accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Capitalized pre-production stripping costs are expensed over the productive life of the mine using the unit-of-production method. Pre-production stripping costs included in other noncurrent assets were $70,227,000 as of December 31, 2016 and $61,369,000 as of December 31, 2015. This year-over-year inc rease resulted primarily from the removal of overburden at a greenfield site in California.
SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION	SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION We account for share-based compensation awards using fair-value-based measurement methods. These result in the recognition of compensation expense for all share-based compensation awards (less an estimate for forfeited awards) based on their fair value as of the grant date. Compensation cost is recognized over the requisite service period. A summary of the estimated future compensation cost (unrecognized compensation expense) as of December 31, 2016 related to share-based awards granted to employees under our long-term incentive plans is presented below:     Unrecognized Expected  Compensation Weighted-average  dollars in thousands Expense Recognition (Years)  Share-based Compensation  SOSARs 1 $ 4,899 1.8  Performance shares 20,965 2.4  Restricted shares 4,925 2.6  Total/weighted-average $ 30,789 2.3   1 Stock-Only Stock Appreciation Rights (SOSARs)  Pretax compensation expense related to our employee share-based compensation awards and related income tax benefits for the years ended December 31 are summarized below:     in thousands 2016 2015 2014  Employee Share-based Compensation Awards  Pretax compensation expense $ 17,823 $ 16,362 $ 22,217  Income tax benefits 6,925 6,347 8,571  EARLY ADOPTION OF ASU 2016-09 W e receive an income tax deduction for share-based compensation equal to the excess of the market value of our common stock on the date of exercise or issuance over the exercise price. Upon our early adoption of Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-09, t ax benefits resulting from tax deductions in excess of the compensation cost recognized (excess tax benefits) are reflected as discrete income tax benefits in the period of exercise or issuance. Before the adoption of this standard, excess tax benefits were recorded directly to equity (APIC). Net e xcess tax benefits of $24,847,000 are reflected as a reduction to our income tax expense for 2016 (see Note 9) . Gross excess tax benefits of $28,009,000 are classified as operating cas h f lows prospectively beginning in 2016 while gross excess tax benefits for 2015 and 2014 of $18,376,000 and $3,464,000 , respectively, are reflected as financing cash flows. Upon the adoption of this ASU, we revised our dilutive share calculation to exclude the assumption that proceeds from excess tax benefits would be used to purchase shares, resulting in an increase in dilutive shares as of December 31, 2016 of 773,101 . ASU 2016-09 requires that the cash paid for shares withheld to satisfy statutory income tax withholding obligations be classified as a financing activity in the statement of cash flows. As a result, we revised our accompanying Statements of Cash Flows for prior years to conform to the 2016 presentation as follows: 2015 — increased operating cash flows $16,160,000 with a corresponding decrease in financing cash flows, and 2014 — increased operating cash flows $671,000 with a corresponding decrease in financing cash flows. F or additional information about share-based compensation, see Note 11 under the caption Share-based Compensation Plans.
RECLAMATION COSTS	RECLAMATION COSTS Reclamation costs resulting from normal use of long-lived assets are recognized over the period the asset is in use when there is a legal obligation to incur these costs upon retirement of the assets. Additionally, reclamation costs resulting from normal use under a mineral lease are recognized over the lease term when there is a legal obligation to incur these costs upon expiration of the lease. The obligation, which cannot be reduced by estimated offsetting cash flows, is recorded at fair value as a liability at the obligating event date and is accreted through charges to operating expenses. This fair value is also capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the underlying asset and depreciated over the estimated useful life of the asset. If the obligation is settled for other than the carrying amount of the liability, a gain or loss is recognized on settlement. To determine the fair value of the obligation, we estimate the cost ( including a reasonable profit margin) for a third party to perform the legally required reclamation tasks. This cost is then increased for both future estimated inflation and an estimated market risk premium related to the estimated years to settlement. Once calculated, this cost is discounted to fair value using present value techniques with a credit-adjusted, risk-free rate commensurate with the estimated years to settlement. In estimating the settlement date, we evaluate the current facts and conditions to determine the most likely settlement date. If this evaluation identifies alternative estimated settlement dates, we use a weighted-average settlement date considering the probabilities of each alternative. We review reclamation obligations at least annually for a revision to the cost or a change in the estimated settlement date. Additionally, reclamation obligations are reviewed in the period that a triggering event occurs that would result in either a revision to the cost or a change in the estimated settlement date. Examples of events that would trigger a change in the cost include a new reclamation law or amendment of an existing mineral lease. Examples of events that would trigger a change in the estimated settlement date include the acquisition of additional reserves or the closure of a facility. The carrying value of these obligations was $223,872,000 as of December 31, 2016 and $226,594,000 as of December 31, 2015. For additional information about reclamation obligations (referred to in our financial statements as asset retirement obligations) see Note 17.
PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS	PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS Accounting for pension and postretirement benefits requires that we make significant assumptions about the valuation of benefit obligations and the performance of plan assets. The primary assumptions are as follows: § Discount Rate — The discount rate is used in calculating the present value of projected benefit payments § Expected Return on Plan Assets — The expected future return on plan assets reduces the recorded net benefit costs § Rate of Compensation Increase — Annual pay increases after 2015 will not increase our pension plan obligations as a result of a 2013 plan amendment § Rate of Increase in the Per Capita Cost of Covered Healthcare Benefits — Increases in the per capita cost after 2015 will not increase our postretirement medical benefits obligation as a result of a 2012 plan amend ment Accounting standards provide for the delayed recognition of differences between actual results and expected or estimated results. This delayed recognition of actual results allows for a smoothed recognition in earnings of changes in benefit obligations and asset performance. The differences between actual results and expected or estimated results are recognized in full in other comprehensive income. Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income are reclassified to earnings in a systematic manner over the average remaining service period of participants for our active plans or the average remaining lifetime of participants for our inactive plans. For additional information about pension and other postretirement benefits see Note 10.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE	ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE Our environmental compliance costs are undiscounted and include the cost of ongoing monitoring programs, the cost of remediation efforts and other similar costs. We accrue costs for environmental assessment and remediation efforts when we determine that a liability is probable and we can reasonably estimate the cost. At the early stages of a remediation effort, environmental remediation liabilities are not easily quantified due to the uncertainties of various factors. The range of an estimated remediation liability is defined and redefined as events in the remediation effort occur, but generally liabilities are recognized no later than completion of the remedial feasibility study. When we can estimate a range of probable loss, we accrue the most likely amount. If no amount in the range of probable loss is considered most likely, the minimum loss in the range is accrued. As of December 31, 2016, the spread between the amount accrued and the maximum loss in the range for all sites for which a range can be reasonably estimated was $3,341,000 — this amount does not represent our maximum exposure to loss for all environmental remediation obligations as it excludes those sites for which a range of loss cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. Accrual amounts may be based on technical cost estimations or the professional judgment of experienced environmental managers. Our Safety, Health and Environmental Affairs Management Committee routinely reviews cost estimates and key assumptions in response to new information, such as the kinds and quantities of hazardous substances, available technologies and changes to the parties participating in the remediation efforts. H owever, a number of factors, including adverse agency rulings and encountering unanticipated conditions as remediation efforts progress, may cause actual results to differ materially from accrued costs. For additional information about environmental compliance costs see Note 8.
CLAIMS AND LITIGATION INCLUDING SELF-INSURANCE	CLAIMS AND LITIGATION INCLUDING SELF-INSURANCE We are involved with claims and litigation, including items covered under our self-insurance program. We are self-insured for losses related to workers' compensation up to $2,000,000 per occurrence and automotive and general/product liability up to $3,000,000 per occurrence. We have excess coverage on a per occurrence basis beyond these retention levels. Under our self-insurance program, we aggregate certain claims and litigation costs that are reasonably predictable based on our historical loss experience and accrue losses, including future legal defense costs, based on actuarial studies. Certain claims and litigation costs, due to their unique nature, are not included in our actuarial studies. We use both internal and outside legal counsel to assess the probability of loss, and establish an accrual when the claims and litigation represent a probable loss and the cost can be reasonably estimated. For matters not included in our actuarial studies, legal defense costs are accrued when incurred. The following table outlines our self-insurance program at December 31:     dollars in thousands 2016 2015  Self-insurance Program  Self-insured liabilities (undiscounted) $ 49,310 $ 44,618  Insured liabilities (undiscounted) 72,644 16,787  Discount rate 1.40% 1.44%  Amounts Recognized in Consolidated  Balance Sheets  Other accounts and notes receivable $ 67,631 $ 0  Investments and long-term receivables 16,133 15,810  Other current liabilities (69,549) (14,198)  Other noncurrent liabilities (49,074) (44,102)  Net liabilities (discounted) $ (34,859) $ (42,490)  The increase in liabilities and the offsetting increase in receivables as noted above relate primarily to a former Chemicals business litigation matter as discussed in Note 12. Estimated payments (undiscounted and excluding the impact of related receivables ) under our self-insurance program for the five years subsequent to December 31, 2016 are as follows:     in thousands  Estimated Payments under Self-insurance Program  2017 $ 74,027  2018 13,599  2019 8,767  2020 5,461  2021 3,716  Significant judgment is used in determining the timing and amount of the accruals for probable losses, and the actual liability could differ materially from the accrued amounts.
INCOME TAXES	INCOME TAXES We file federal, state and foreign income tax returns and account for the current and deferred tax effects of such returns using the asset and liability method. We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities (which reflect our best assessment of the future taxes we will pay) based on the differences between the book basis and tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets represent items to be used as a tax deduction or credit in future tax returns while deferred tax liabilities represent items that will result in additional tax in future tax returns. Significant judgments and estimates are required in determining our deferred tax assets and liabilities. These estimates are updated throughout the year to consider income tax return filings, our geographic mix of earnings, legislative changes and other relevant items. Each quarter we analyze the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be realized. Realization of the deferred tax assets ultimately depends on the existence of sufficient taxable income of the appropriate character in either the carryback or carryforward period. A valuation allowance is recorded if, based on the weight of all available positive and negative evidence, it is more likely than not (a likelihood of more than 50%) that some portion, or all, of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. A summary of our deferred tax assets is included in Note 9. U.S. income taxes are not provided on foreign earnings when such earnings are indefinitely reinvested offshore. At least annually, we evaluate our investment strategies for each foreign tax jurisdiction in which we operate to determine whether foreign earnings will be indefinitely reinvested offshore. We recognize a tax benefit associated with a tax position when, in our judgment, it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained based upon the technical merits of the position. For a tax position that meets the more likely than not recognition threshold, we measure the income tax benefit as the largest amount that we judge to have a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized. A liability is established for the unrecognized portion of any tax position. Our liability for unrecognized tax benefits is adjusted periodically due to changing circumstances, such as the progress of tax audits, case law developments and new or emerging legislation. The years open to tax examinations vary by jurisdiction. While it is often difficult to predict the final outcome or the timing of resolution of any particular tax matter, we believe our liability for unrecognized tax benefits is appropriate. We consider a tax position to be resolved at the earlier of the issue being “effectively settled,” settlement of an examination, or the expiration of the statute of limitations. Upon resolution of a tax position, any liability for unrecognized tax benefits will be released. Our liability for unrecognized tax benefits is generally presented as noncurrent. However, if we anticipate paying cash within one year to settle an uncertain tax position, the liability is presented as current. We classify interest and penalties associated with our liability for unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. Our largest permanent item in computing both our taxable income and effective tax rate is the deduction allowed for statutory depletion. The impact of statutory depletion on the effective tax rate is presented in Note 9. The deduction for statutory depletion does not necessarily change proportionately to changes in pretax earnings.
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	COMPREHENSIVE INCOME We report comprehensive income in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and Consolidated Statements of Equity. Comprehensive income comprises two subsets: net earnings and other comprehensive income (OCI). OCI includes fair value adjustments to cash flow hedges, actuarial gains or losses and prior service costs related to pension and postretirement benefit plans. For additional information about comprehensive income see Note 14.
EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS)	EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS) Earnings per share are computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted-average common shares outstanding (basic EPS) or weighted-average common shares outstanding assuming dilution (diluted EPS), as set forth below:     in thousands 2016 2015 2014  Weighted-average common shares outstanding 133,205 133,210 131,461  Dilutive effect of  Stock options/SOSARs 1,339 1,027 656  Other stock compensation plans 1,246 856 874  Weighted-average common shares outstanding,  assuming dilution 135,790 135,093 132,991  All dilutive common stock equivalents are reflected in our earnings per share calculations. Antidilutive common stock equivalents are not included in our earnings per share calculations. The number of antidilutive common stock equivalents for which the exercise price exceeds the weighted-average market price for the years ended December 31 is as follows:     in thousands 2016 2015 2014  Antidilutive common stock equivalents 97 544 2,352 
RECLASSIFICATIONS	RECLASSIFICATIONS Certain items previously reported in specific financial statement captions have been reclassified to conform with the 2016 presentation. During 2016, we early adopted ASU 2016-09, “Improvement to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting,” resulting in adjustments to our prior financial statements as noted in the caption S hare-based Compensatio n above.
NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS	NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS ACCOUNTING STANDARDS RECENTLY ADOPTED SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS As of December 31, 2016, we early adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-09, “Improvement to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting,” which amends several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions. Most significant ly, t he income tax effects of awards are recognized in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled (t he use of APIC pools is eliminated). Additionally, the guidance requires cash paid for shares withheld (to satisfy the employer’s statutory income tax withholding obligation) to be presented as a financing activity in the statement of cash flows. See the caption S hare-based Compensatio n above for the impact of the adoption of this standard to our consolidated financial statements. GOING CONCERN As of December 31, 2016, we adopted ASU 2014-15, “Disclosure of Uncertainties About an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern,” which requires management to perform interim and annual assessments of an entity’s ability to continue as a going concer n w ithin one year after the date that the financial statements are issued . T he adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related notes . NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE INVESTMENTS During the first quarter of 2016, we adopted ASU 2015-07, “Disclosures for Investment in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or its Equivalent).” This ASU removed the requirement to categorize investments within the fair value hierarchy when their fair value is measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient. This ASU also removed the requirement to make certain disclosures for investments that are eligible to be measured at fair value using the net asset value per share expedient. Rather, those disclosures are limited to investments for which we elected to measure the fair value using that practical expedient. The impact of this standard was limited to our annual pension plan fair value disclosures (see Note 10) and was applied retrospectively . ACCOUNTING STANDARDS PENDING ADOPTION INTRA-ENTITY ASSET TRANSFERS In October 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU 2016-16, “Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory,” which requires the tax effects of intercompany transactions other than inventory to be recognized currently. ASU 2016-16 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an annual reporting period. We do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. C ASH FLOW CLASSIFICATION In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments,” which amends guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows. This ASU adds or clarifies guidance on eight specific cash flow issues. Additionally, guidance on the presentation of restricted cash is addressed in ASU 2016-18 which was issued in November 2016. Both of these standards are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. Early adoption is permitted . We do not expect the adoption of these standard s to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. CREDIT LOSSES In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,” which amends guidance on the impairment of financial instruments. The new guidance estimates credit losses based on expected losses, modifies the impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities and provides for a simplified accounting model for purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. ASU 2016-13 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019 , and interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. Early adoption is permitted for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. While we are still evaluating the impact of ASU 2016- 13 , we do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statement s. LEASE ACCOUNTING In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases,” which amends existing accounting standards for lease accounting and adds additional disclosures about leasing arrangements. Under the new guidance, lessees are required to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement and presentation of cash flow in the statement of cash flows. This ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. Early adoption is permitted and modified retrospective application is required. We are currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. CLASSIFICATION AND MEASUREMENT OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities,” which amends certain aspects of current guidance on the recognition, measurement and disclosure of financial instruments. Among other changes, this ASU requires most equity investments be measured at fair value. Additionally, the ASU eliminates the requirement to disclose the method and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value for instruments not recognized at fair value in our financial statements. This ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. Early adoption is permitted. We do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. INVENTORY MEASUREMENT In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, “Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory,” which changes the measurement principle for inventory from the lower of cost or market principle to the lower of cost and net realizable value principle. The guidance applies to inventories that are measured using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) or average cost method, but does not apply to inventories that are measured using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) or retail inventory method. We use the LIFO method for approximately 66% of our inventory (based on the December 31, 2016 balances); therefore, this ASU will not apply to the majority of our inventory. This ASU is effective prospectively for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. We will adopt this standard as of and for the interim period ending March 31, 201 7. W e do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. REVENUE RECOGNITION In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue From Contracts With Customers,” which outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. This ASU provides a more robust framework for addressing revenue issues and expands required revenue recognition disclosures. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, “Revenue From Contracts With Customers: Principal Versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross Versus Net),” which amends the principal versus agent guidance in ASU 2014-09. The amendments in ASU 2016-08 provide guidance on recording revenue on a gross basis versus a net basis based on the determination of whether an entity is a principal or an agent when another party is involved in providing goods or services to a customer. These ASUs are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. Early adoption is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. Further, in applying these ASUs an entity is permitted to use either the full retrospective or cumulative effect transition approach. While w e are currently evaluating the impact of adoption of these standard s on our consolidated financial statements , we expect to identify similar performance obligations under ASU 2014-09 compared with the deliverables and separate units of account we have identified under existing accounting standards. As a result, we expect the timing of our revenues to remain generally the same. We will adopt these standards using the cumulative effect transition approac h.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN29

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]
Depreciation, Depletion, Accretion and Amortization Expense	   in thousands 2016 2015 2014  Depreciation, Depletion, Accretion and Amortization  Depreciation $ 238,237 $ 228,866 $ 239,611  Depletion 17,812 18,177 16,741  Accretion 11,059 11,474 11,601  Amortization of leaseholds 267 688 578  Amortization of intangibles 17,565 15,618 10,966  Total $ 284,940 $ 274,823 $ 279,497 
Fair Value Measurement on Recurring Basis	   Level 1 Fair Value  in thousands 2016 2015  Fair Value Recurring  Rabbi Trust  Mutual funds $ 6,883 $ 11,472  Equities 10,033 8,992  Total $ 16,916 $ 20,464     Level 2 Fair Value  in thousands 2016 2015  Fair Value Recurring  Rabbi Trust  Money market mutual fund $ 1,705 $ 2,124  Total $ 1,705 $ 2,124 
Fair Value Measurement on Nonrecurring Basis	   Year ending December 31, 2016 Year ending December 31, 2015  Impairment Impairment  in thousands Level 2 Charges Level 2 Charges  Fair Value Nonrecurring  Property, plant & equipment $ 0 $ 1,359 $ 0 $ 2,176  Other intangible assets, net 0 8,180 0 2,858  Other assets 0 967 0 156  Totals $ 0 $ 10,506 $ 0 $ 5,190 
Reconciliation of Deferred Revenue Balances	   in thousands 2016 2015 2014  Deferred Revenue  Balance at beginning of year $ 214,060 $ 219,968 $ 224,743  Cash received and revenue deferred 0 0 187  Amortization of deferred revenue (7,592) (5,908) (4,962)  Balance at end of year $ 206,468 $ 214,060 $ 219,968 
Unrecognized Compensation Expense	   Unrecognized Expected  Compensation Weighted-average  dollars in thousands Expense Recognition (Years)  Share-based Compensation  SOSARs 1 $ 4,899 1.8  Performance shares 20,965 2.4  Restricted shares 4,925 2.6  Total/weighted-average $ 30,789 2.3   1 Stock-Only Stock Appreciation Rights (SOSARs) 
Pretax Compensation Expense	   in thousands 2016 2015 2014  Employee Share-based Compensation Awards  Pretax compensation expense $ 17,823 $ 16,362 $ 22,217  Income tax benefits 6,925 6,347 8,571 
Liabilities Under Self-Insurance Program	   dollars in thousands 2016 2015  Self-insurance Program  Self-insured liabilities (undiscounted) $ 49,310 $ 44,618  Insured liabilities (undiscounted) 72,644 16,787  Discount rate 1.40% 1.44%  Amounts Recognized in Consolidated  Balance Sheets  Other accounts and notes receivable $ 67,631 $ 0  Investments and long-term receivables 16,133 15,810  Other current liabilities (69,549) (14,198)  Other noncurrent liabilities (49,074) (44,102)  Net liabilities (discounted) $ (34,859) $ (42,490) 
Estimated Payments (Undiscounted) Under Self-Insurance Program	   in thousands  Estimated Payments under Self-insurance Program  2017 $ 74,027  2018 13,599  2019 8,767  2020 5,461  2021 3,716 
Weighted-Average Common Shares Outstanding Assuming Dilution	   in thousands 2016 2015 2014  Weighted-average common shares outstanding 133,205 133,210 131,461  Dilutive effect of  Stock options/SOSARs 1,339 1,027 656  Other stock compensation plans 1,246 856 874  Weighted-average common shares outstanding,  assuming dilution 135,790 135,093 132,991 
Antidilutive Common Stock Equivalents	   in thousands 2016 2015 2014  Antidilutive common stock equivalents 97 544 2,352 

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (Tables

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS [Abstract]
Results from Discontinued Operations	   in thousands 2016 2015 2014  Discontinued Operations  Pretax loss $ (4,877) $ (19,326) $ (3,683)  Income tax benefit 1,962 7,589 1,460  Loss on discontinued operations,  net of tax $ (2,915) $ (11,737) $ (2,223) 

INVENTORIES (Tables)

INVENTORIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
INVENTORIES [Abstract]
Inventories	   in thousands 2016 2015  Inventories  Finished products 1 $ 293,619 $ 297,925  Raw materials 22,648 21,765  Products in process 1,480 1,008  Operating supplies and other 27,869 26,375  Total $ 345,616 $ 347,073    1 Includes inventories encumbered b y v o lumetric production payment s (see Note 1, caption Deferred Revenue), as follows: December 31, 201 6 — $ 2,841 thousand and December 31, 201 5 — $ 4,452 thousand. 

PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT (Ta

PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment	   in thousands 2016 2015  Property, Plant & Equipment  Land and land improvements 1 $ 2,374,051 $ 2,305,801  Buildings 127,369 124,950  Machinery and equipment 4,316,243 4,124,808  Leaseholds 17,595 14,143  Deferred asset retirement costs 168,258 166,252  Construction in progress 182,302 155,333  Total, gross $ 7,185,818 $ 6,891,287  Less allowances for depreciation, depletion  and amortization 3,924,380 3,734,997  Total, net $ 3,261,438 $ 3,156,290   1 Includes depletable land, as follows: December 31, 201 6 — $ 1,327,402 thousand and December 31, 201 5 — $1,296,211 thousand. 
Capitalized Interest Costs and Total Interest Costs Incurred	   in thousands 2016 2015 2014  Capitalized interest cost $ 7,468 $ 2,930 $ 2,092  Total interest cost incurred before recognition  of the capitalized amount 141,544 223,518 245,459 

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS (Tables)

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS [Abstract]
Effects of Changes in Fair Values of Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges	   in thousands Location on Statement 2016 2015 2014  Cash Flow Hedges  Loss reclassified from AOCI  (effective portion) Interest expense $ (2,008) $ (9,759) $ (7,988) 
Deferred Gain Amortization	   in thousands 2016 2015 2014  Deferred Gain on Settlement  Amortized to earnings as a reduction to interest expense $ 0 $ 3,036 $ 10,674 

DEBT (Tables)

DEBT (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
DEBT [Abstract]
Debt	   Effective  in thousands Interest Rates 2016 2015  Short-term Debt  Bank line of credit expires 2021 1, 2, 3 n/a $ 0 $ 0  Total short-term debt $ 0 $ 0  Long-term Debt  Bank line of credit expires 2021 1, 2, 3 1.25% $ 235,000 $ 235,000  7.00% notes due 2018 7.87% 272,512 272,512  10.375% notes due 2018 10.63% 250,000 250,000  7.50% notes due 2021 7.75% 600,000 600,000  8.85% notes due 2021 8.88% 6,000 6,000  Delayed draw term loan 2, 3 1.25% 0 0  4.50% notes due 2025 4.65% 400,000 400,000  7.15% notes due 2037 8.05% 240,188 240,188  Other notes 3 6.31% 365 498  Total long-term debt - face value $ 2,004,065 $ 2,004,198  Unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs (21,176) (23,734)  Total long-term debt - book value $ 1,982,889 $ 1,980,464  Less current maturities 138 130  Total long-term debt - reported value $ 1,982,751 $ 1,980,334  Estimated fair value of long-term debt $ 2,243,213 $ 2,204,816    1 Borrowings on the bank line of credit are classified as short-term debt if we intend to repay within twelve months and as long-term debt otherwise. 2 The effective interest rate is the spread over LIBOR as of the most recent balance sheet date. 3 Non-publicly traded deb t. 
Schedule of Principal and Interest Debt Payments	   in thousands Total Principal Interest  Debt Payments (excluding the line of credit)  2017 $ 125,878 $ 138 $ 125,740  2018 638,725 522,531 116,194  2019 80,740 23 80,717  2020 80,741 25 80,716  2021 664,174 606,026 58,148 
Standby Letters of Credit	   in thousands  Standby Letters of Credit  Risk management insurance $ 34,111  Reclamation/restoration requirements 5,427  Total $ 39,538 

OPERATING LEASES (Tables)

OPERATING LEASES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
OPERATING LEASES [Abstract]
Rental Expense from Continuing Operations under Nonmineral Operating Leases	   in thousands 2016 2015 2014  Operating Leases  Minimum rentals $ 52,713 $ 49,461 $ 42,887  Contingent rentals (based principally on usage) 57,278 60,380 56,717  Total $ 109,991 $ 109,841 $ 99,604 
Future Minimum Operating Lease Payments	   in thousands  Future Minimum Operating Lease Payments  2017 $ 31,017  2018 29,389  2019 25,132  2020 23,022  2021 21,312  Thereafter 119,602  Total $ 249,474 

ACCRUED ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIA36

ACCRUED ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION COSTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
ACCRUED ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION COSTS [Abstract]
Accrued Environmental Remediation Costs	   in thousands 2016 2015  Accrued Environmental Remediation Costs  Continuing operations $ 9,136 $ 6,876  Retained from former Chemicals business 10,716 10,988  Total $ 19,852 $ 17,864 

INCOME TAXES (Tables)

INCOME TAXES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
INCOME TAXES [Abstract]
Components of Earnings From Continuing Operations before Income Taxes	   in thousands 2016 2015 2014  Earnings from Continuing Operations  before Income Taxes  Domestic $ 513,721 $ 293,547 $ 264,473  Foreign 33,536 34,310 34,365  Total $ 547,257 $ 327,857 $ 298,838 
Provision (Benefit) For Income Taxes from Continuing Operations	   in thousands 2016 2015 2014  Income Tax Expense from  Continuing Operations  Current  Federal $ 72,506 $ 67,521 $ 47,882  State and local 14,774 14,035 18,983  Foreign 6,974 7,784 7,174  Total $ 94,254 $ 89,340 $ 74,039  Deferred  Federal $ 37,246 $ 11,192 $ 13,556  State and local (6,647) (4,888) 4,120  Foreign (2) (701) (23)  Total $ 30,597 $ 5,603 $ 17,653  Total expense $ 124,851 $ 94,943 $ 91,692 
Sources and Tax Effects of Differences Between Benefit from Income Taxes and Amount Computed by Applying Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate to Losses from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes	   dollars in thousands 2016 2015 2014  Income tax expense at the federal  statutory tax rate of 35% $ 191,540 35.0% $ 114,750 35.0% $ 104,594 35.0%  Expense (Benefit) from  Income Tax Differences  Statutory depletion (32,230) -5.9% (27,702) -8.4% (25,774) -8.6%  State and local income taxes, net of federal  income tax benefit 1 5,283 1.0% 5,945 1.8% 15,017 5.0%  U.S. production deduction (8,790) -1.6% (5,099) -1.6% 0 0.0%  Foreign tax credit carryforward (6,513) -1.2% 6,486 2.0% 0 0.0%  Permanently reinvested foreign earnings (4,578) -0.8% (6,396) -2.0% 0 0.0%  Share-based compensation 2 (22,443) -4.1% 0 0.0% 0 0.0%  Other, net 2,582 0.4% 6,959 2.2% (2,145) -0.7%  Total income tax expense/  Effective tax rate $ 124,851 22.8% $ 94,943 29.0% $ 91,692 30.7% 
Components of Net Deferred Income Tax Liability	   in thousands 2016 2015  Deferred Tax Assets Related to  Employee benefits $ 85,123 $ 78,999  Asset retirement obligations & other reserves 63,617 59,507  Deferred compensation 103,947 117,298  State net operating losses 54,498 61,658  Federal credit carryforwards 18,139 34,340  Other 44,843 48,856  Total gross deferred tax assets 370,167 400,658  Valuation allowance (44,237) (59,323)  Total net deferred tax assets $ 325,930 $ 341,335  Deferred Tax Liabilities Related to  Property, plant & equipment $ 664,763 $ 665,057  Goodwill/other intangible assets 327,666 324,910  Other 36,355 32,464  Total deferred tax liabilities $ 1,028,784 $ 1,022,431  Net deferred tax liability $ 702,854 $ 681,096 
Changes in Unrecognized Income Tax Benefits	   in thousands 2016 2015 2014  Unrecognized tax benefits as of January 1 $ 8,447 $ 7,057 $ 12,155  Increases for tax positions related to  Prior years 1,368 491 229  Current year 1,040 942 528  Decreases for tax positions related to  Prior years 0 0 (53)  Settlements with taxing authorities 0 0 0  Expiration of applicable statute of limitations (27) (43) (5,802)  Unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31 $ 10,828 $ 8,447 $ 7,057 

BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)

BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Combined Funded Status of Plans and their Reconciliation with Related Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Financial Statements	    in thousands 2016 2015  Change in Benefit Obligation  Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 988,453 $ 1,083,222  Service cost 5,343 4,851  Interest cost 36,505 44,065  Actuarial (gain) loss 24,675 (63,725)  Benefits paid (48,302) (79,960)  Projected benefit obligation at end of year $ 1,006,674 $ 988,453  Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets  Fair value of assets at beginning of year $ 745,686 $ 816,972  Actual return on plan assets 42,555 (5,373)  Employer contribution 9,576 14,047  Benefits paid (48,302) (79,960)  Fair value of assets at end of year $ 749,515 $ 745,686  Funded status (257,159) (242,767)  Net amount recognized $ (257,159) $ (242,767)  Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated  Balance Sheets  Noncurrent assets $ 0 $ 0  Current liabilities (9,375) (9,106)  Noncurrent liabilities (247,784) (233,661)  Net amount recognized $ (257,159) $ (242,767)  Amounts Recognized in Accumulated  Other Comprehensive Income  Net actuarial loss $ 250,099 $ 222,580  Prior service credit (361) (404)  Total amount recognized $ 249,738 $ 222,176 
Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost Amounts Recognized In Other Comprehensive Income And Weighted Average Assumptions Of Plans	   dollars in thousands 2016 2015 2014  Components of Net Periodic Pension  Benefit Cost  Service cost $ 5,343 $ 4,851 $ 4,157  Interest cost 36,505 44,065 44,392  Expected return on plan assets (51,562) (54,736) (50,802)  Settlement charge 0 2,031 0  Amortization of prior service cost (credit) (43) 48 188  Amortization of actuarial loss 6,163 21,641 11,221  Net periodic pension benefit cost (credit) $ (3,594) $ 17,900 $ 9,156  Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit  Obligations Recognized in Other  Comprehensive Income  Net actuarial loss (gain) $ 33,682 $ (3,615) $ 118,915  Reclassification of actuarial loss (6,163) (23,672) (11,221)  Reclassification of prior service (cost) credit 43 (48) (188)  Amount recognized in other comprehensive  income $ 27,562 $ (27,335) $ 107,506  Amount recognized in net periodic pension  benefit cost and other comprehensive  income $ 23,968 $ (9,435) $ 116,662  Assumptions  Weighted-average assumptions used to  determine net periodic benefit cost for  years ended December 31  Discount rate — PBO 4.55% 4.14% 4.91%  Discount rate — service cost 4.68% 4.14% 4.91%  Discount rate — interest cost 3.79% 4.14% 4.91%  Expected return on plan assets 7.50% 7.50% 7.50%  Rate of compensation increase  (for salary-related plans) 3.50% 3.70% 3.50%  Weighted-average assumptions used to  determine benefit obligation at  December 31  Discount rate 4.29% 4.54% 4.14%  Rate of compensation increase  (for salary-related plans) 3.50% 3.50% 3.70% 
Fair values of Pension Plan Assets	Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2016     in thousands Level 1 1 Level 2 1 Level 3 1 Total  Asset Category  Debt securities $ 0 $ 162,894 $ 0 $ 162,894  Investment funds  Commodity funds 0 16,594 0 16,594  Equity funds 530 124,407 0 124,937  Investments in the fair value hierarchy $ 530 $ 303,895 $ 0 $ 304,425  Interest in common/collective trusts (at NAV) 2 358,345  Venture capital and partnerships (at NAV) 2 86,745  Total pension plan assets $ 749,515 Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2015     in thousands Level 1 1 Level 2 1 Level 3 1 Total  Asset Category  Debt securities $ 0 $ 154,745 $ 0 $ 154,745  Investment funds  Commodity funds 0 14,490 0 14,490  Equity funds 647 123,078 0 123,725  Investments in the fair value hierarchy $ 647 $ 292,313 $ 0 $ 292,960  Interest in common/collective trusts (at NAV) 2 349,854  Venture capital and partnerships (at NAV) 2 102,872  Total pension plan assets $ 745,686   1 See Note 1 under the caption Fair Value Measurements for a description of the fair value hierarchy. 2 As discussed in Note 1, we adopted ASU 2015-07 as of March 31, 2016. As a result, pension plan assets measured using the net asset value practical expedient were excluded from the fair value hierarchy. 
Employer Contributions for Plan	   in thousands Pension  Employer Contributions  2014 $ 5,488  2015 14,047  2016 9,576  2017 (estimated) 18,875 
Benefit Payments Which Reflect Expected Future Service, Expected to be Paid	   in thousands Pension  Estimated Future Benefit Payments  2017 $ 52,691  2018 55,221  2019 56,720  2020 57,664  2021 58,755  2022-2026 304,149 
Postretirement Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Combined Funded Status of Plans and their Reconciliation with Related Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Financial Statements	   in thousands 2016 2015  Change in Benefit Obligation  Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 48,605 $ 85,336  Service cost 1,123 1,894  Interest cost 1,209 2,485  Actuarial gain (111) (35,195)  Benefits paid (5,280) (5,915)  Projected benefit obligation at end of year $ 45,546 $ 48,605  Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets  Fair value of assets at beginning of year $ 0 $ 0  Actual return on plan assets 0 0  Fair value of assets at end of year $ 0 $ 0  Funded status $ (45,546) $ (48,605)  Net amount recognized $ (45,546) $ (48,605)  Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated  Balance Sheets  Current liabilities $ (6,013) $ (6,287)  Noncurrent liabilities (39,533) (42,318)  Net amount recognized $ (45,546) $ (48,605)  Amounts Recognized in Accumulated  Other Comprehensive Income  Net actuarial gain $ (22,685) $ (24,325)  Prior service credit (19,692) (23,928)  Total amount recognized $ (42,377) $ (48,253) 
Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost Amounts Recognized In Other Comprehensive Income And Weighted Average Assumptions Of Plans	   dollars in thousands 2016 2015 2014  Components of Net Periodic Postretirement  Benefit Cost  Service cost $ 1,123 $ 1,894 $ 2,146  Interest cost 1,209 2,485 3,297  Curtailment gain 0 0 (3,832)  Amortization of prior service credit (4,236) (4,232) (4,327)  Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss (1,751) 37 227  Net periodic postretirement benefit cost (credit) $ (3,655) $ 184 $ (2,489)  Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit  Obligations Recognized in Other  Comprehensive Income  Net actuarial gain $ (111) $ (35,209) $ (5,256)  Reclassification of actuarial gain (loss) 1,751 (37) (227)  Reclassification of prior service credit 4,236 4,232 8,159  Amount recognized in other comprehensive  income $ 5,876 $ (31,014) $ 2,676  Amount recognized in net periodic  postretirement benefit cost and other  comprehensive income $ 2,221 $ (30,830) $ 187  Assumptions  Assumed Healthcare Cost Trend Rates  at December 31  Healthcare cost trend rate assumed  for next year n/a n/a 7.50%  Rate to which the cost trend rate gradually  declines n/a n/a 5.00%  Year that the rate reaches the rate it is  assumed to maintain n/a n/a 2025  Weighted-average assumptions used to  determine net periodic benefit cost for  years ended December 31  Discount rate — PBO 3.69% 3.50% 4.10%  Discount rate — service cost 3.77% 3.50% 4.10%  Discount rate — interest cost 2.81% 3.50% 4.10%  Weighted-average assumptions used to  determine benefit obligation at  December 31  Discount rate 3.58% 3.69% 3.50% 
Employer Contributions for Plan	   in thousands Postretirement  Employer Contributions  2014 $ 7,739  2015 5,915  2016 5,280  2017 (estimated) 6,013 
Benefit Payments Which Reflect Expected Future Service, Expected to be Paid	   in thousands Postretirement  Estimated Future Benefit Payments  2017 $ 6,013  2018 5,757  2019 5,510  2020 5,227  2021 4,826  2022–2026 18,546 
Contributions by Participants to Postretirement Benefit Plans	   in thousands Postretirement  Participants Contributions  2014 $ 1,873  2015 2,031  2016 2,085 

INCENTIVE PLANS (Tables)

INCENTIVE PLANS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Weighted-Average Fair Value And Weighted-Average Assumptions Used In Estimating Fair Value of Grants	   2016 2015 2014  SOSARs  Fair value $ 29.20 $ 25.17 $ 21.94  Risk-free interest rate 1.66% 1.85% 2.40%  Dividend yield 1.39% 1.70% 1.64%  Volatility 30.42% 33.00% 33.00%  Expected term 9.00 years 8.00 years 8.00 years 
Summary of Our Stock Option/SOSAR Activity	   Weighted-average  Remaining Aggregate  Number Weighted-average Contractual Intrinsic Value  of Shares Exercise Price Life (Years) (in thousands)  SOSARs/Stock Options 1  Outstanding at January 1, 2016 3,052,749 $ 58.32  Granted 97,700 92.02  Exercised (753,251) 83.29  Forfeited or expired (4,767) 78.22  Outstanding at December 31, 2016 2,392,431 $ 51.80 4.30 $ 178,558  Vested and expected to vest 2,379,036 $ 51.70 4.28 $ 177,794  Exercisable at December 31, 2016 2,005,030 $ 47.30 3.62 $ 158,651 
Aggregate Intrinsic Values of Options Exercised	   in thousands 2016 2015 2014  Aggregate intrinsic value of SOSARs/  stock options exercised $ 27,705 $ 43,620 $ 7,372 
Cash and Stock Consideration Received and Tax Benefit Realized from Stock Option/Sosar Exercises and Compensation Cost Recorded	   in thousands 2016 2015 2014  SOSARs/Stock Options  Cash and stock consideration received  from exercises $ 0 $ 72,884 $ 23,199  Tax benefit from exercises 10,767 16,920 2,844  Compensation cost 2,744 2,221 4,650 
Performance Shares [Member]
Summary of Activity For Nonvested Performance Share Units	   Target Weighted-average  Number Grant Date  of Shares Fair Value  Performance Shares  Nonvested at January 1, 2016 806,339 $ 63.13  Granted 164,498 87.73  Vested (289,424) 53.65  Canceled/forfeited (14,317) 68.49  Nonvested at December 31, 2016 667,096 $ 73.20 
Aggregate Value of Performance Shares	   in thousands 2016 2015 2014  Aggregate value of distributed  performance shares $ 60,443 $ 26,258 $ 0 
Restricted Shares [Member]
Summary of Restricted Stock Units	   Weighted-average  Number Grant Date  of Shares Fair Value  Restricted Stock Units  Nonvested at January 1, 2016 74,000 $ 58.23  Granted 63,350 87.77  Vested 0 0.00  Canceled/forfeited (1,920) 87.77  Nonvested at December 31, 2016 135,430 $ 71.63 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES [Abstract]
Commitments Due	   Unconditional  Purchase  in thousands Obligations  Property, Plant & Equipment  2017 $ 131,846  Thereafter 200  Total $ 132,046  Noncapital (primarily transportation and electricity contracts)  2017 $ 24,402  2018–2019 19,406  2020–2021 7,229  Thereafter 4,000  Total $ 55,037 
Minimum Royalties Under Mineral Leases	   Mineral  in thousands Leases  Minimum Royalties  2017 $ 22,153  2018–2019 36,196  2020–2021 23,513  Thereafter 134,379  Total $ 216,241 

EQUITY (Tables)

EQUITY (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
EQUITY [Abstract]
Shares Purchased And Retired	    in thousands, except average cost 2016 2015 2014  Shares Purchased and Retired  Number 1,427 228 0  Total cost 1 $ 161,463 $ 21,475 $ 0  Average cost 1 $ 113.18 $ 94.19 $ 0.00   1 Ex cludes commissions of $0.02 per share . 

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Tab

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax	   in thousands 2016 2015 2014  AOCI  Cash flow hedges $ (13,300) $ (14,494) $ (20,322)  Pension and postretirement plans (126,076) (105,575) (141,392)  Total $ (139,376) $ (120,069) $ (161,714) 
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax	   Pension and  Cash Flow Postretirement  in thousands Hedges Benefit Plans Total  AOCI  Balance as of December 31, 2013 $ (25,178) $ (74,453) $ (99,631)  Other comprehensive income (loss)  before reclassifications 0 (69,051) (69,051)  Amounts reclassified from AOCI 4,856 2,112 6,968  Net OCI changes 4,856 (66,939) (62,083)  Balance as of December 31, 2014 $ (20,322) $ (141,392) $ (161,714)  Other comprehensive income (loss)  before reclassifications 0 23,832 23,832  Amounts reclassified from AOCI 5,828 11,985 17,813  Net OCI changes 5,828 35,817 41,645  Balance as of December 31, 2015 $ (14,494) $ (105,575) $ (120,069)  Other comprehensive income (loss)  before reclassifications 0 (20,583) (20,583)  Amounts reclassified from AOCI 1,194 82 1,276  Net OCI changes 1,194 (20,501) (19,307)  Balance as of December 31, 2016 $ (13,300) $ (126,076) $ (139,376) 
Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income to Earnings	   in thousands 2016 2015 2014  Reclassification Adjustment for Cash Flow  Hedge Losses  Interest expense $ 2,008 $ 9,759 $ 7,988  Benefit from income taxes (814) (3,931) (3,132)  Total 1 $ 1,194 $ 5,828 $ 4,856  Amortization of Pension and Postretirement Plan  Actuarial Loss and Prior Service Cost  Cost of revenues $ 109 $ 15,916 $ 2,789  Selling, administrative and general expenses 25 3,608 688  Benefit from income taxes (52) (7,539) (1,365)  Total 2 $ 82 $ 11,985 $ 2,112  Total reclassifications from AOCI to earnings $ 1,276 $ 17,813 $ 6,968   1 Totals for 2015 and 2014 include the acceleration of a proportional amount of deferred losses on interest rate derivatives (see Note 5) referable to debt purchases (see Note 6). 2 Total for 2015 includes a one-time settlement loss resulting from a lump sum payment to a former employee (see Note 10). Total for 2014 includes a one-time curtailment gain (see Note 10) resulting from the sale of our cement and concrete businesses in the Florida area (see Note 19). 

SEGMENT REPORTING (Tables)

SEGMENT REPORTING (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
SEGMENT REPORTING [Abstract]
Segment Financial Disclosure	   in thousands 2016 2015 2014  Total Revenues  Aggregates 1 $ 2,961,835 $ 2,777,758 $ 2,346,411  Asphalt Mix 2 512,310 530,692 445,538  Concrete 2, 3 330,125 299,252 375,806  Calcium 4 8,860 8,596 25,032  Segment sales $ 3,813,130 $ 3,616,298 $ 3,192,787  Aggregates intersegment sales (220,463) (194,117) (189,393)  Calcium intersegment sales 0 0 (9,225)  Total revenues $ 3,592,667 $ 3,422,181 $ 2,994,169  Gross Profit  Aggregates $ 873,118 $ 755,666 $ 544,070  Asphalt Mix 2 97,682 78,225 38,080  Concrete 2, 3 26,543 20,152 2,233  Calcium 4 3,474 3,490 3,199  Total $ 1,000,817 $ 857,533 $ 587,582  Depreciation, Depletion, Accretion and Amortization (DDA&A)  Aggregates $ 236,472 $ 228,466 $ 227,042  Asphalt Mix 2 16,797 16,378 10,719  Concrete 2, 3 12,129 11,374 19,892  Calcium 4 774 679 1,554  Other 18,768 17,926 20,290  Total $ 284,940 $ 274,823 $ 279,497  Capital Expenditures 5  Aggregates $ 297,737 $ 269,014 $ 180,026  Asphalt Mix 2 29,002 8,111 20,796  Concrete 2, 3 10,047 19,053 19,542  Calcium 4 534 0 201  Corporate 7,621 7,846 2,532  Total $ 344,941 $ 304,024 $ 223,097  Identifiable Assets 6  Aggregates $ 7,589,225 $ 7,540,273 $ 7,311,336  Asphalt Mix 2 259,514 251,716 264,172  Concrete 2, 3 192,673 198,193 227,000  Calcium 4 4,959 5,509 5,818  Total identifiable assets $ 8,046,371 $ 7,995,691 $ 7,808,326  General corporate assets 166,118 21,881 91,498  Cash and cash equivalents 258,986 284,060 141,273  Total assets $ 8,471,475 $ 8,301,632 $ 8,041,097   1 Includes product sales, as well as freight, delivery and transportation revenues, and other revenues related to services. 2 In January 2015, we exchanged our California ready-mixed concrete operations for 13 asphalt mix plants, primarily in Arizona (see Note 19). 3 In March 2014, we sold our concrete business in the Florida area (see Note 19). 4 Includes cement and calcium products. In March 2014, we sold our cement business (see Note 19). 5 Capital expenditures include capitalized replacements of and additions to property, plant & equipment, including capitalized leases, renewals and betterments. Capital expenditures exclude property, plant & equipment obtained by business acquisitions. 6 Certain temporarily idled assets are included within a segment's Identifiable Assets but the associated DDA&A is shown within Other in the DDA&A section above as the related DDA&A is excluded from segment gross profit. 

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORM44

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION [Abstract]
Supplemental Information Referable to Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	   in thousands 2016 2015 2014  Cash Payments  Interest (exclusive of amount capitalized) $ 135,039 $ 208,288 $ 241,841  Income taxes 102,849 53,623 79,862  Noncash Investing and Financing Activities  Accrued liabilities for purchases of property,  plant & equipment $ 26,676 $ 31,883 $ 17,120  Amounts referable to business acquisitions  Liabilities assumed 798 2,645 26,622  Fair value of noncash assets and liabilities exchanged 0 20,000 2,414  Fair value of equity consideration 0 0 45,185 

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS (T

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS [Abstract]
Asset Retirement Obligations Operating Costs	   in thousands 2016 2015 2014  ARO Operating Costs  Accretion $ 11,059 $ 11,474 $ 11,601  Depreciation 6,353 6,515 4,462  Total $ 17,412 $ 17,989 $ 16,063 
Reconciliations of Asset Retirement Obligations	   in thousands 2016 2015  Asset Retirement Obligations  Balance at beginning of year $ 226,594 $ 226,565  Liabilities incurred 505 6,235  Liabilities settled (17,114) (18,048)  Accretion expense 11,059 11,474  Revisions, net 2,828 368  Balance at end of year $ 223,872 $ 226,594 

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS [Abstract]
Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill by Reportable Segment	   in thousands Aggregates Asphalt Mix Concrete Calcium Total  Goodwill  Total as of December 31, 2014 $ 3,003,191 $ 91,633 $ 0 $ 0 $ 3,094,824  Total as of December 31, 2015 $ 3,003,191 $ 91,633 $ 0 $ 0 $ 3,094,824  Total as of December 31, 2016 $ 3,003,191 $ 91,633 $ 0 $ 0 $ 3,094,824 
Gross Carrying Amount and Accumulated Amortization by Major Intangible Asset Class	   in thousands 2016 2015  Gross Carrying Amount  Contractual rights in place $ 742,085 $ 735,935  Noncompetition agreements 6,757 2,800  Favorable lease agreements 9,479 16,677  Permitting, permitting compliance and zoning rights 112,058 99,513  Other 1 4,171 4,092  Total gross carrying amount $ 874,550 $ 859,017  Accumulated Amortization  Contractual rights in place $ (77,515) $ (65,641)  Noncompetition agreements (1,118) (506)  Favorable lease agreements (2,822) (4,002)  Permitting, permitting compliance and zoning rights (21,701) (20,350)  Other 1 (2,342) (1,939)  Total accumulated amortization $ (105,498) $ (92,438)  Total Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization, net $ 769,052 $ 766,579  Intangible Assets with Indefinite Lives 0 0  Total Intangible Assets, net $ 769,052 $ 766,579  Amortization Expense for the Year $ 17,565 $ 15,618   1 Includes customer relationships and tradenames and trademarks. 
Estimated Amortization Expense	   in thousands  Estimated Amortization Expense for Five Subsequent Years  2017 $ 16,308  2018 15,941  2019 16,222  2020 15,488  2021 14,288 

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES (

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES [Abstract]
Schedule Of Business Acquisitions	   in thousands 2016  Fair Value of Purchase Consideration  Cash $ 32,537  Payable to seller 750  Total fair value of purchase consideration $ 33,287  Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed  Accounts and notes receivable, net $ 1,034  Inventories 169  Property, plant & equipment, net 15,462  Other intangible assets  Contractual rights in place 15,213  Noncompetition agreement 1,457  Liabilities assumed (48)  Net identifiable assets acquired $ 33,287  Goodwill $ 0 

UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (T

UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTARY DATA [Abstract]
Summary of Selected Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)	   2016  Three Months Ended  in thousands, except per share data March 31 June 30 Sept 30 Dec 31  Total revenues $ 754,728 $ 956,825 $ 1,008,140 $ 872,974  Gross profit 164,718 292,184 304,209 239,706  Operating earnings 64,921 213,786 227,076 173,799  Earnings from continuing operations 1 41,965 127,241 145,137 108,063  Net earnings 1 40,158 124,709 142,024 112,600  Basic earnings per share from continuing operations 1 $ 0.31 $ 0.95 $ 1.09 $ 0.82  Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations 1 $ 0.31 $ 0.93 $ 1.07 $ 0.80  Basic net earnings per share 1 $ 0.30 $ 0.93 $ 1.07 $ 0.85  Diluted net earnings per share 1 $ 0.30 $ 0.92 $ 1.05 $ 0.83   1 Amounts are revised to reflect the early adoption of ASU 2016-09 (See Note 1, caption Accounting Standards Recently Adopted) in the fourth quarter of 2016 and presented as adopted as of the beginning of the year. Earnings from continuing operations and Net earnings were increased, as follows: March 31 — $21,234,000 ( $0.16 per share); June 30 — $959,000 ( $0.01 in diluted net earnings per share only ) ; and September 30 — $2,259,000 ( $0.02 per share basic and $0.01 per share diluted).      2015  Three Months Ended  in thousands, except per share data March 31 June 30 Sept 30 Dec 31  Total revenues $ 631,293 $ 895,143 $ 1,038,460 $ 857,285  Gross profit 77,865 234,449 291,290 253,929  Operating earnings 10,759 153,776 212,206 173,037  Earnings (loss) from continuing operations (36,667) 49,819 126,202 93,560  Net earnings (loss) (39,678) 48,162 123,805 88,888  Basic earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations $ (0.28) $ 0.37 $ 0.95 $ 0.70  Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations $ (0.28) $ 0.37 $ 0.93 $ 0.69  Basic net earnings (loss) per share $ (0.30) $ 0.36 $ 0.93 $ 0.67  Diluted net earnings (loss) per share $ (0.30) $ 0.36 $ 0.91 $ 0.65 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN49

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)stateitemfactorshares	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
State of incorporation	New Jersey
Number of states | state	20
Number of demographic factors | factor	3
Rabbi Trust asset value, decrease	$ (3,967)
Net gains (losses) of the Rabbi Trust investments	2,741	$ (1,517)	$ 1,169
Unrealized net gains (losses) of the Rabbi Trust investments	$ 1,599	(1,769)	(1,049)
Number of Rabbi Trust estabished | item	2
Number of Facilities | item	8
Bad debt expense	$ (1,190)	1,450	2,031
Write-offs of accounts receivables	1,544	1,483	2,561
Capitalized software costs	4,732	7,003
Capitalized software costs during the year	152	1,482	921
Goodwill	3,094,824	3,094,824	3,094,824
Loss on impairment of long-lived assets	10,506	5,190	3,095
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring	$ 0	$ 0
Percentage of goodwill in total assets	37.00%	37.00%
Percentage of net property, plant & equipment in total assets	39.00%
Percentage of net other intangible assets in total assets	9.00%
Number of Reporting Units | item	18
Proceeds from sale of future production				$ 153,282	$ 73,644
Amortization term of proceeds from sale of future production	25 years
Stripping costs	$ 55,987	$ 50,409	44,896
Capitalized pre-production stripping costs	70,227	61,369
Spread between the amount accrued and the maximum environmental loss	3,341
Maximum self-insurance coverage per occurrence for losses related to workers' compensation	2,000
Maximum self-insurance coverage per occurrence for automotive and general/product liability	$ 3,000
Accounting Standards Codification Topic 740 - Income Taxes recognition threshold for uncertain tax positions	50.00%
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	$ 0	18,376	3,464
Gross excess tax benefits from share-based compensation, operating activity	28,009
Operating cash flows	644,588	519,538	261,007
Financing cash flows	(304,585)	(67,009)	(551,803)
Asset Retirement Obligation	$ 223,872	226,594	226,565
LIFO method used for percentage of inventory	66.00%
Goodwill [Member]
Number of Reporting Units | item	9
Accounting Standards Update 2016-09 [Member]
Tax reduction from net excess tax benefits from share based compensation	$ 24,847
Increase in dilutive shares | shares	773,101
Minimum [Member] | Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Estimated service lives	3 years
Minimum [Member] | Buildings [Member]
Estimated service lives	7 years
Minimum [Member] | Land Improvements [Member]
Estimated service lives	8 years
Maximum [Member] | Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Estimated service lives	25 years
Maximum [Member] | Buildings [Member]
Estimated service lives	20 years
Maximum [Member] | Land Improvements [Member]
Estimated service lives	20 years
Forecast [Member]
Estimated deferred revenue to be recognized in the next 12 months						$ 8,080
Restatement Adjustment [Member]
Operating cash flows		16,160	671
Financing cash flows		$ (16,160)	$ (671)

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN50

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Depreciation, Depletion, Accretion and Amortization Expense) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]
Depreciation	$ 238,237	$ 228,866	$ 239,611
Depletion	17,812	18,177	16,741
Accretion	11,059	11,474	11,601
Amortization of leaseholds	267	688	578
Amortization of intangible	17,565	15,618	10,966
Total	$ 284,940	$ 274,823	$ 279,497

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN51

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Fair Value Measurement on Recurring Basis) (Details) - Recurring [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets fair value, recurring	$ 16,916	$ 20,464
Level 1 [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets fair value, recurring	6,883	11,472
Level 1 [Member] | Equities Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets fair value, recurring	10,033	8,992
Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets fair value, recurring	1,705	2,124
Level 2 [Member] | Money Market Mutual Fund [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets fair value, recurring	$ 1,705	$ 2,124

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN52

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Fair Value Measurement on Nonrecurring Basis) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Property, plant & equipment, net, Impairment Charges	$ 1,359	$ 2,176
Other intangible assets, net, Impairment Charges	8,180	2,858	$ 0
Other assets, Impairment Charges	967	156
Totals	0	0
Totals, Impairment Charges	10,506	5,190	$ 3,095
Nonrecurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Property, plant & equipment, net	0	0
Other intangible assets, net	0	0
Other assets	0	0
Totals	$ 0	$ 0

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN53

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Reconciliation of Deferred Revenue Balances) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
DEFERRED REVENUE [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 214,060	$ 219,968	$ 224,743
Cash received and revenue deferred	0	0	187
Amortization of deferred revenue	(7,592)	(5,908)	(4,962)
Balance at end of year	$ 206,468	$ 214,060	$ 219,968

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN54

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Unrecognized Compensation Expense) (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized Compensation Expense, Total/weighted-average	$ 30,789
Expected Weighted-Average Recognition (Years)	2 years 3 months 18 days
SOSARs/Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized Compensation Expense, SOSARs	$ 4,899	[1]
Expected Weighted-Average Recognition (Years)	1 year 9 months 18 days	[1]
Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized Compensation Expense, shares	$ 20,965
Expected Weighted-Average Recognition (Years)	2 years 4 months 24 days
Restricted Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized Compensation Expense, shares	$ 4,925
Expected Weighted-Average Recognition (Years)	2 years 7 months 6 days
[1]	Stock-Only Stock Appreciation Rights (SOSARs)

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN55

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Pretax Compensation Expense) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]
Pretax compensation expense	$ 17,823	$ 16,362	$ 22,217
Income tax benefits	$ 6,925	$ 6,347	$ 8,571

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN56

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Liabilities Under Self-Insurance Program) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]
Self-insured liabilities (undiscounted)	$ 49,310	$ 44,618
Insured liabilities (undiscounted)	$ 72,644	$ 16,787
Discount Rate	1.40%	1.44%
Other accounts and notes receivables	$ 67,631	$ 0
Investments and long-term receivables	16,133	15,810
Other current liabilities	(69,549)	(14,198)
Other noncurrent liabilities	(49,074)	(44,102)
Net liabilities (discounted)	$ (34,859)	$ (42,490)

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN57

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Estimated Payments (Undiscounted) Under Self-Insurance Program) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]
2,017	$ 74,027
2,018	13,599
2,019	8,767
2,020	5,461
2,021	$ 3,716

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN58

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Weighted-Average Common Shares Outstanding Assuming Dilution) (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	133,205	133,210	131,461
Stock options/SOSARs	1,339	1,027	656
Other stock compensation plans	1,246	856	874
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, assuming dilution	135,790	135,093	132,991

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN59

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Antidilutive Common Stock Equivalents) (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]
Antidilutive common stock equivalents	97	544	2,352

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (Narrat

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS [Abstract]
Pretax losses from discontinued operations	$ 4,877	$ 19,326	$ 3,683

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (Result

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (Results from Discontinued Operations) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS [Abstract]
Pretax loss	$ (4,877)	$ (19,326)	$ (3,683)
Income tax benefit	1,962	7,589	1,460
Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax	$ (2,915)	$ (11,737)	$ (2,223)

INVENTORIES (Narrative) (Detail

INVENTORIES (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
INVENTORIES [Abstract]
Inventory classified as long-term assets (other noncurrent assets)	$ 15,285	$ 14,995
Inventories valued under the LIFO method	239,187	242,147
Decrease in cost of revenues due to the effect of the LIFO liquidation	3,956	3,284	$ 2,686
Increase in net earnings due to the effect of the LIFO liquidation	2,419	2,010	1,650
Excess of estimated current cost over LIFO cost	155,576	169,257
Approximate effect on net earnings due to the adoption of the LIFO method	$ (8,338)	$ (7,614)	$ 19,108

INVENTORIES (Inventories) (Deta

INVENTORIES (Inventories) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
INVENTORIES [Abstract]
Finished products	[1]	$ 293,619	$ 297,925
Raw materials		22,648	21,765
Products in process		1,480	1,008
Operating supplies and other		27,869	26,375
Total		345,616	347,073
Encumbered inventories		$ 2,841	$ 4,452
[1]	Includes inventories encumbered by volumetric production payments (see Note 1, caption Deferred Revenue), as follows: December 31, 2016 - $2,841 thousand and December 31, 2015 - $4,452 thousand.

PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT (Pr

PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT (Property, Plant and Equipment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total, gross		$ 7,185,818	$ 6,891,287
Less allowances for depreciation, depletion and amortization		3,924,380	3,734,997
Total, net		3,261,438	3,156,290
Land and Land Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total, gross	[1]	2,374,051	2,305,801
Buildings [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total, gross		127,369	124,950
Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total, gross		4,316,243	4,124,808
Leaseholds [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total, gross		17,595	14,143
Deferred Asset Retirement Costs [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total, gross		168,258	166,252
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total, gross		182,302	155,333
Depletable Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total, gross		$ 1,327,402	$ 1,296,211
[1]	Includes depletable land, as follows: December 31, 2016 - $1,327,402 thousand and December 31, 2015 - $1,296,211 thousand.

PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT (Ca

PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT (Capitalized Interest Costs and Total Interest Costs Incurred) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT [Abstract]
Capitalized interest cost	$ 7,468	$ 2,930	$ 2,092
Total interest cost incurred before recognition of the capitalized amount	$ 141,544	$ 223,518	$ 245,459

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS (Narrati

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS (Narrative) (Details)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2011USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2007USD ($)agreement	Jun. 30, 2011USD ($)
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of forward starting interest rate swap agreements | agreement					15
Cash payments for interest rate swap agreements					$ 89,777,000
Amortized deferred gain		$ 0	$ 3,036,000	$ 10,674,000
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount of interest rate swap agreements					$ 1,500,000,000
Estimated amount of pretax loss in AOCI reclassified to earnings for the next 12-month period		$ 2,179,000
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Debt [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Loss reclassified from AOCI			7,208,000	3,762,000
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value Hedges [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Cash proceeds from interest rate swap agreements	$ 25,382,000
Amortized deferred gain			$ 1,642,000	$ 8,032,000
Fixed-Rate Notes [Member] | 6.50% notes due 2016 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fixed-rate notes issued						$ 500,000,000
Interest rate						6.50%
Fixed-Rate Notes [Member] | 10.125% notes due 2015 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Interest rate						10.125%
Fixed-Rate Notes [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value Hedges [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | 6.50% notes due 2016 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount of interest rate swap agreements						$ 500,000,000
Fixed interest rate under swap agreements						6.50%
Fixed-Rate Notes [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value Hedges [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | 10.125% notes due 2015 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount of interest rate swap agreements						$ 150,000,000
Fixed interest rate under swap agreements						10.125%
LIBOR [Member] | Fixed-Rate Notes [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value Hedges [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | 6.50% notes due 2016 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Interest rate spread above London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)						4.05%
LIBOR [Member] | Fixed-Rate Notes [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value Hedges [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | 10.125% notes due 2015 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Interest rate spread above London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)						8.03%

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS (Effects

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS (Effects of Changes in Fair Values of Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Expense [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Loss reclassified from AOCI (effective portion)	$ (2,008)	$ (9,759)	$ (7,988)

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS (Deferre

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS (Deferred Gain Amortization) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS [Abstract]
Amortized to earnings as a reduction to interest expense	$ 0	$ 3,036	$ 10,674

DEBT (Narrative) (Details)

DEBT (Narrative) (Details)		1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)item	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Net interest expense				$ 125,748,000
Long term debt		$ 1,982,889,000	$ 1,980,464,000	1,982,889,000	$ 1,980,464,000
Gross long-term debt		2,004,065,000	2,004,198,000	2,004,065,000	2,004,198,000
Repayments of debt					530,923,000
Repayments of Debt				130,000	695,060,000	$ 579,829,000
Purchase amount			471,122,000		471,122,000
Transaction fees				1,860,000	7,382,000	0
Other cost (benefit) related to debt purchase					7,274,000
Premium for repayments of debt					59,293,000
Transaction costs for repayments of debt					508,000
Discounts and debt issuance costs				4,418,000
Cost of debt purchase				0	67,075,000	$ 72,949,000
Delayed Draw Term Loan And Line Of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Transaction fees		1,860,000		1,860,000
Bank Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity		750,000,000		750,000,000
Long term debt		235,000,000		$ 235,000,000
Commitment fee				0.15%
Available borrowing capacity		475,462,000		$ 475,462,000
Bank Line of Credit [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin on borrowing rate				1.25%
Bank Line of Credit [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin on borrowing rate				0.25%
Bank Line of Credit [Member] | Maximum, Upon Certain Acquisitions [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt to EBITDA ratio				3.75
Standby Letters of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding standby letters of credit		39,538,000		$ 39,538,000
Period of standby letters of credit				1 year
Standby Letters of Credit [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin on borrowing rate				0.175%
Minimum [Member] | Bank Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
EBITDA to net cash interest expense ratio				3
Commitment fee				0.10%
Minimum [Member] | Bank Line of Credit [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin on borrowing rate				1.00%
Minimum [Member] | Bank Line of Credit [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin on borrowing rate				0.00%
Maximum [Member] | Bank Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt to EBITDA ratio				3.5
Commitment fee				0.25%
Maximum [Member] | Bank Line of Credit [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin on borrowing rate				1.75%
Maximum [Member] | Bank Line of Credit [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin on borrowing rate				0.75%
Other Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross long-term debt	[1]	$ 365,000	498,000	$ 365,000	498,000
Notes [Member] | Delayed draw term loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of draws | item		3
Gross long-term debt	[1],[2]	$ 0	0	0	$ 0
Face value		$ 250,000,000		$ 250,000,000
Notes [Member] | Delayed draw term loan [Member] | Quarters 5 - 8 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate		0.625%		0.625%
Notes [Member] | Delayed draw term loan [Member] | Quarters 9 - 12 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate		1.25%		1.25%
Notes [Member] | Delayed draw term loan [Member] | Quarters 13 - 19 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate		1.875%		1.875%
Notes [Member] | Delayed draw term loan [Member] | Quarter 20 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate		79.375%		79.375%
Notes [Member] | 10.125% notes due 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of debt			$ 150,000,000
Interest rate			10.125%		10.125%
Maturity year				2,015
Notes [Member] | 4.50% notes due 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross long-term debt		$ 400,000,000	$ 400,000,000	$ 400,000,000	$ 400,000,000
Face value			$ 400,000,000		$ 400,000,000
Interest rate		4.50%	4.50%	4.50%	4.50%
Maturity year				2,025
Net proceeds					$ 395,207,000
Notes [Member] | 7.00% notes due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross long-term debt		$ 272,512,000	$ 272,512,000	$ 272,512,000	$ 272,512,000
Interest rate		7.00%	7.00%	7.00%	7.00%
Maturity year				2,018
Purchase amount			$ 127,488,000		$ 127,488,000
Principal percentage					33.00%
Notes [Member] | 6.40% notes due 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate			6.40%		6.40%
Maturity year				2,017
Purchase amount			$ 218,633,000		$ 218,633,000
Principal percentage					100.00%
Notes [Member] | 6.50% notes due 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate			6.50%		6.50%
Maturity year				2,016
Purchase amount			$ 125,001,000		$ 125,001,000
Principal percentage					100.00%
Notes [Member] | Investment-Grade Type Covenants Governed [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross long-term debt		$ 1,768,700,000		$ 1,768,700,000
Industrial Revenue Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of debt					$ 14,000,000
Maturity year				2,022
[1]	Non-publicly traded debt.
[2]	The effective interest rate is the spread over LIBOR as of the most recent balance sheet date.

DEBT (Debt) (Details)

DEBT (Debt) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total short-term debt		$ 0	$ 0
Total long-term debt - face value		2,004,065	2,004,198
Unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs		(21,176)	(23,734)
Total long-term debt - book value		1,982,889	1,980,464
Less current maturities		138	130
Total long-term debt - reported value		1,982,751	1,980,334
Estimated fair value of long-term debt		2,243,213	2,204,816
Bank Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total short-term debt	[1],[2],[3]	0	0
Bank Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt - face value	[1],[2],[3]	$ 235,000	$ 235,000
Maturity date		Dec. 31, 2021
Effective interest rate	[1],[2],[3]	1.25%
Notes [Member] | 10.125% notes due 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate			10.125%
Maturity year		2,015
Notes [Member] | 7.00% notes due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt - face value		$ 272,512	$ 272,512
Interest rate		7.00%	7.00%
Maturity year		2,018
Effective interest rate		7.87%
Notes [Member] | 10.375% notes due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt - face value		$ 250,000	$ 250,000
Interest rate		10.375%	10.375%
Maturity year		2,018
Effective interest rate		10.63%
Notes [Member] | 7.50% notes due 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt - face value		$ 600,000	$ 600,000
Interest rate		7.50%	7.50%
Maturity year		2,021
Effective interest rate		7.75%
Notes [Member] | 8.85% notes due 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt - face value		$ 6,000	$ 6,000
Interest rate		8.85%	8.85%
Maturity year		2,021
Effective interest rate		8.88%
Notes [Member] | Delayed draw term loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt - face value	[2],[3]	$ 0	$ 0
Effective interest rate	[2],[3]	1.25%
Notes [Member] | 4.50% notes due 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt - face value		$ 400,000	$ 400,000
Interest rate		4.50%	4.50%
Maturity year		2,025
Effective interest rate		4.65%
Notes [Member] | 7.15% notes due 2037 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt - face value		$ 240,188	$ 240,188
Interest rate		7.15%	7.15%
Maturity year		2,037
Effective interest rate		8.05%
Other Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt - face value	[2]	$ 365	$ 498
Effective interest rate	[2]	6.31%
[1]	Borrowings on the bank line of credit are classified as short-term debt if we intend to repay within twelve months and as long-term debt otherwise.
[2]	Non-publicly traded debt.
[3]	The effective interest rate is the spread over LIBOR as of the most recent balance sheet date.

DEBT (Schedule of Principal and

DEBT (Schedule of Principal and Interest Debt Payments) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
DEBT [Abstract]
2017, Total	$ 125,878
2018, Total	638,725
2019, Total	80,740
2020, Total	80,741
2021, Total	664,174
2017, Principal	138
2018, Principal	522,531
2019, Principal	23
2020, Principal	25
2021, Principal	606,026
2017, Interest	125,740
2018, Interest	116,194
2019, Interest	80,717
2020, Interest	80,716
2021, Interest	$ 58,148

DEBT (Standby Letters of Credit

DEBT (Standby Letters of Credit) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Risk management insurance	$ 49,310	$ 44,618
Reclamation/restoration requirements	223,872	$ 226,594	$ 226,565
Standby Letters of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Risk management insurance	34,111
Reclamation/restoration requirements	5,427
Total	$ 39,538

OPERATING LEASES (Rental Expens

OPERATING LEASES (Rental Expense From Continuing Operations Under Nomineral Operating Leases) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
OPERATING LEASES [Abstract]
Minimum rentals	$ 52,713	$ 49,461	$ 42,887
Contingent rentals (based principally on usage)	57,278	60,380	56,717
Total	$ 109,991	$ 109,841	$ 99,604

OPERATING LEASES (Future Minimu

OPERATING LEASES (Future Minimum Operating Lease Payments) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
OPERATING LEASES [Abstract]
2,017	$ 31,017
2,018	29,389
2,019	25,132
2,020	23,022
2,021	21,312
Thereafter	119,602
Total	$ 249,474

ACCRUED ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIA75

ACCRUED ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION COSTS (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
ACCRUED ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION COSTS [Abstract]
Long-term portion of accrued environmental remediation costs	$ 12,655	$ 12,569

ACCRUED ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIA76

ACCRUED ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION COSTS (Accrued Environmental Remediation Costs) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Accrued Environmental Remediation Costs	$ 19,852	$ 17,864
Continuing Operations [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Accrued Environmental Remediation Costs	9,136	6,876
Retained From Former Chemicals Business [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Accrued Environmental Remediation Costs	$ 10,716	$ 10,988

INCOME TAXES (Narratives) (Deta

INCOME TAXES (Narratives) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Provision for income taxes	$ 124,851	$ 94,943	$ 91,692
State net operating loss carryforwards	54,498	61,658
Decrease in valuation allowance	(4,791)	(4,655)
Income tax receivables	10,201	4,138
Interest and penalties recognized as income tax expense (benefit)	266	138	(1,067)
Balance of accrued interest and penalties included in lliability for unrecognized income tax benefits	1,369	1,103	965
Unrecognized income tax benefits that would affect the effective tax rate if recognized	9,884	$ 7,614	$ 6,282
Undistributed earnings from foreign subsidiaries	154,874
Deferred income tax liability not recognized from undistributed foreign earnings	$ 32,860
Earliest Tax Year [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards expiration date	Dec. 31, 2022
Latest Tax Year [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards expiration date	Dec. 31, 2029
Alabama [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
State net operating loss carryforwards	$ 53,220

INCOME TAXES (Components Of Ear

INCOME TAXES (Components Of Earnings From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
INCOME TAXES [Abstract]
Domestic	$ 513,721	$ 293,547	$ 264,473
Foreign	33,536	34,310	34,365
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes	$ 547,257	$ 327,857	$ 298,838

INCOME TAXES (Provision (Benefi

INCOME TAXES (Provision (Benefit) For Income Taxes from Continuing Operations) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
INCOME TAXES [Abstract]
Current, Federal	$ 72,506	$ 67,521	$ 47,882
Current, State and local	14,774	14,035	18,983
Current, Foreign	6,974	7,784	7,174
Current, Total	94,254	89,340	74,039
Deferred, Federal	37,246	11,192	13,556
Deferred, State and local	(6,647)	(4,888)	4,120
Deferred, Foreign	(2)	(701)	(23)
Deferred, Total	30,597	5,603	17,653
Total income tax expense	$ 124,851	$ 94,943	$ 91,692

INCOME TAXES (Sources and Tax E

INCOME TAXES (Sources and Tax Effects of Differences Between Benefit from Income Taxes and Amount Computed by Applying Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate to Losses from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Item Effected [Line Items]
Income tax expense at the federal statutory tax rate of 35%		$ 191,540	$ 114,750	$ 104,594
Statutory depletion		(32,230)	(27,702)	(25,774)
State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit	[1]	5,283	5,945	15,017
U.S. production deduction		(8,790)	(5,099)	0
Foreign tax credit carryforward		(6,513)	6,486	0
Permanently reinvested foreign earnings		(4,578)	(6,396)	0
Share-based compensation	[2]	(22,443)	0	0
Other, net		2,582	6,959	(2,145)
Total income tax expense		$ 124,851	$ 94,943	$ 91,692
Income tax expense at the federal statutory tax rate of 35%, Rate		35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Statutory depletion, Rate		(5.90%)	(8.40%)	(8.60%)
State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit, Rate	[1]	1.00%	1.80%	5.00%
U.S. production deduction, Rate		(1.60%)	(1.60%)	(0.00%)
Foreign tax credit carryforwards impairment, Rate		(1.20%)	2.00%	0.00%
Permanently reinvested foreign earnings, Rate		(0.80%)	(2.00%)	0.00%
Share-based compensation, Rate	[2]	(4.10%)	(0.00%)	(0.00%)
Other, net, Rate		0.40%	2.20%	(0.70%)
Total Effective tax rate		22.80%	29.00%	30.70%
Accounting Standards Update 2016-09 [Member]
Item Effected [Line Items]
State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit		$ 2,404
[1]	The 2016 amount includes $2,404 thousand of benefit related to the early adoption of ASU 2016-09.
[2]	As discussed in Note 1, we early adopted ASU 2016-09 as of December 31, 2016.

INCOME TAXES (Components of Net

INCOME TAXES (Components of Net Deferred Income Tax Liability) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
INCOME TAXES [Abstract]
Employee benefits	$ 85,123	$ 78,999
Asset retirement obligations & other reserves	63,617	59,507
Deferred compensation	103,947	117,298
State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit	54,498	61,658
Federal credit carryforwards	18,139	34,340
Other	44,843	48,856
Total gross deferred tax assets	370,167	400,658
Valuation allowance	(44,237)	(59,323)
Total net deferred tax assets	325,930	341,335
Property, plant & equipment	664,763	665,057
Goodwill/other intangible assets	327,666	324,910
Other	36,355	32,464
Total deferred tax liabilities	1,028,784	1,022,431
Net deferred tax liability	$ 702,854	$ 681,096

INCOME TAXES (Changes in Unreco

INCOME TAXES (Changes in Unrecognized Income Tax Benefits) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
INCOME TAXES [Abstract]
Unrecognized tax benefits as of January 1	$ 8,447	$ 7,057	$ 12,155
Increases for tax positions related to Prior years	1,368	491	229
Increases for tax positions related to Current year	1,040	942	528
Decreases for tax positions related to Prior years	0	0	(53)
Settlements with taxing authorities	0	0	0
Expiration of applicable statute of limitations	(27)	(43)	(5,802)
Unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31	$ 10,828	$ 8,447	$ 7,057

BENEFIT PLANS (Narrative) (Deta

BENEFIT PLANS (Narrative) (Details)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)employeeShareBasedCompensationPlanitem	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)item	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Number Of Defined Contribution Plans | ShareBasedCompensationPlan		2
Expected return on plan assets		7.00%	7.50%
Contributions to multiemployer pension plans		$ 10,435,000	$ 9,800,000	$ 8,503,000
Percentage of contributions to individual multiemployer pension funds		5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Percentage of domestic hourly labor force covered by collective bargaining agreements		12.80%
Percentage of domestic hourly labor force covered by collective bargaining agreements expiring in 2017		8.50%
Number of unfunded supplemental retirement plans | item		1	1
Accrued costs for supplemental retirement plan		$ 1,320,000	$ 1,384,000
Amount plan assets of Chemical Plan exceeds accumulated benefit obligation		277,000
Expense recognized related to defined contribution plans		$ 45,295,000	36,085,000	$ 29,215,000
Mexico [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of employees | employee		305
Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation ranges for plan assets, minimum		50.00%
Target allocation ranges for plan assets, maximum		77.00%
Debt Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation ranges for plan assets, minimum		15.00%
Target allocation ranges for plan assets, maximum		27.00%
Specialty Investments [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation ranges for plan assets, minimum		0.00%
Target allocation ranges for plan assets, maximum		20.00%
Commodities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation ranges for plan assets, minimum		0.00%
Target allocation ranges for plan assets, maximum		6.00%
Cash Reserves [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation ranges for plan assets, minimum		0.00%
Target allocation ranges for plan assets, maximum		5.00%
Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of funded, noncontributory defined benefit pension plans | ShareBasedCompensationPlan		3
Normal retirement age		65 years
Projected benefit obligation		$ 1,006,674,000	988,453,000	$ 1,083,222,000
Accumulated benefit obligation		1,006,001,000	$ 987,724,000
Estimated net actuarial loss expected to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income		6,988,000
Estimated prior service cost that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income		$ (73,000)
Expected return on plan assets		7.50%	7.50%	7.50%
Employer contributions		$ 9,576,000	$ 14,047,000	$ 5,488,000
Estimated employer contribution in 2017		$ 18,875,000
Discount rate		4.29%	4.54%	4.14%
Estimated weighted-average discount rate to measure service cost		4.68%
Estimated weighted-average discount rate to measure interest cost		3.79%
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Rate of Compensation Increase		3.50%	3.50%	3.70%
Qualified Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer contributions		$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Estimated employer contribution in 2017		$ 9,500,000
Non Qualified Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of unfunded, nonqualified pension plans | ShareBasedCompensationPlan		3
Projected benefit obligation		$ 85,021,000	89,652,000
Accumulated benefit obligation		85,021,000	89,652,000
Employer contributions		9,576,000	14,047,000	5,488,000
Estimated employer contribution in 2017		$ 9,375,000
Postretirement Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Normal retirement age		65 years
Reduction in the projected benefit obligation				2,639,000
One-time curtailment gain	$ 3,832,000	$ 0	0	3,832,000
Projected benefit obligation		45,546,000	$ 48,605,000	$ 85,336,000
Estimated net actuarial loss expected to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income		(1,724,000)
Estimated prior service cost that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income		(4,236,000)
Estimated employer contribution in 2017		$ 6,013,000
Discount rate		3.58%	3.69%	3.50%
Estimated weighted-average discount rate to measure service cost		3.77%
Estimated weighted-average discount rate to measure interest cost		2.81%
Healthcare cost trend rate assumed for next year				7.50%
Rate to which the cost trend rate gradually declines				5.00%
Year that the rate reaches the rate it is assumed to maintain				2,025
Minimum [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate		3.43%	3.53%
Maximum [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate		4.41%	4.68%

BENEFIT PLANS (Combined Funded

BENEFIT PLANS (Combined Funded Status of Plans and their Reconciliation with Related Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Financial Statements) (Details) - Pension Benefits [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Change in Benefit Obligation
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	$ 988,453	$ 1,083,222
Service cost	5,343	4,851	$ 4,157
Interest cost	36,505	44,065	44,392
Actuarial (gain) loss	24,675	(63,725)
Benefits paid	(48,302)	(79,960)
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	1,006,674	988,453	1,083,222
Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	745,686	816,972
Actual return on plan assets	42,555	(5,373)
Employer contributions	9,576	14,047	5,488
Benefits paid	(48,302)	(79,960)
Fair value of assets at end of year	749,515	745,686	$ 816,972
Funded status	(257,159)	(242,767)
Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Noncurrent assets	0	0
Current liabilities	(9,375)	(9,106)
Noncurrent liabilities	(247,784)	(233,661)
Net amount recognized	(257,159)	(242,767)
Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Net actuarial (gain) loss	250,099	222,580
Prior service credit	(361)	(404)
Total amount recognized	$ 249,738	$ 222,176

BENEFIT PLANS (Combined Funde85

BENEFIT PLANS (Combined Funded Status of Plans and their Reconciliation with Related Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Financial Statements II) (Details) - Postretirement Plans [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Change in Benefit Obligation
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	$ 48,605	$ 85,336
Service cost	1,123	1,894	$ 2,146
Interest cost	1,209	2,485	3,297
Actuarial (gain) loss	(111)	(35,195)
Benefits paid	(5,280)	(5,915)	(7,739)
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	45,546	48,605	85,336
Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	0	0
Actual return on plan assets	0	0
Fair value of assets at end of year	0	0	$ 0
Funded status	(45,546)	(48,605)
Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Current liabilities	(6,013)	(6,287)
Noncurrent liabilities	(39,533)	(42,318)
Net amount recognized	(45,546)	(48,605)
Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Net actuarial (gain) loss	(22,685)	(24,325)
Prior service credit	(19,692)	(23,928)
Total amount recognized	$ (42,377)	$ (48,253)

BENEFIT PLANS (Components of Ne

BENEFIT PLANS (Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost- Pension Plans) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for years ended December 31
Expected return on plan assets	7.00%	7.50%
Pension Benefits [Member]
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
Service cost	$ 5,343	$ 4,851	$ 4,157
Interest cost	36,505	44,065	44,392
Expected return on plan assets	(51,562)	(54,736)	(50,802)
Settlement charge	0	2,031	0
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	(43)	48	188
Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss	6,163	21,641	11,221
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)	(3,594)	17,900	9,156
Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income
Net actuarial loss (gain)	33,682	(3,615)	118,915
Reclassification of actuarial gain (loss)	(6,163)	(23,672)	(11,221)
Reclassification of prior service (cost) credit	43	(48)	(188)
Amount recognized in other comprehensive income	27,562	(27,335)	107,506
Amount recognized in net periodic pension benefit cost and other comprehensive income	$ 23,968	$ (9,435)	$ 116,662
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for years ended December 31
Discount rate — PBO	4.55%	4.14%	4.91%
Discount rate — service cost	4.68%	4.14%	4.91%
Discount rate — interest cost	3.79%	4.14%	4.91%
Expected return on plan assets	7.50%	7.50%	7.50%
Rate of compensation increase (for salary-related plans)	3.50%	3.70%	3.50%
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligation at December 31
Discount rate	4.29%	4.54%	4.14%
Rate of compensation increase (for salary-related plans)	3.50%	3.50%	3.70%

BENEFIT PLANS (Components of 87

BENEFIT PLANS (Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost- PostRetirement Plans) (Details) - Postretirement Plans [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
Service cost		$ 1,123	$ 1,894	$ 2,146
Interest cost		1,209	2,485	3,297
Curtailment gain	$ (3,832)	0	0	(3,832)
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)		(4,236)	(4,232)	(4,327)
Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss		(1,751)	37	227
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)		(3,655)	184	(2,489)
Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income
Net actuarial loss (gain)		(111)	(35,209)	(5,256)
Reclassification of actuarial gain (loss)		1,751	(37)	(227)
Reclassification of prior service (cost) credit		4,236	4,232	8,159
Amount recognized in other comprehensive income		5,876	(31,014)	2,676
Amount recognized in net periodic pension benefit cost and other comprehensive income		$ 2,221	$ (30,830)	$ 187
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates [Abstract]
Healthcare cost trend rate assumed for next year				7.50%
Rate to which the cost trend rate gradually declines				5.00%
Year that the rate reaches the rate it is assumed to maintain				2,025
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for years ended December 31
Discount rate — PBO		3.69%	3.50%	4.10%
Discount rate — service cost		3.77%	3.50%	4.10%
Discount rate — interest cost		2.81%	3.50%	4.10%
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligation at December 31
Discount rate		3.58%	3.69%	3.50%

BENEFIT PLANS (Fair values of P

BENEFIT PLANS (Fair values of Pension Plan Assets) (Details) - Pension Benefits [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets		$ 749,515	$ 745,686	$ 816,972
Interest In Common/Collective Trusts [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	[1]	358,345	349,854
Venture Capital And Partnerships [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	[1]	86,745	102,872
Investments In The Fair Value Hierarchy [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets		304,425	292,960
Investments In The Fair Value Hierarchy [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets		162,894	154,745
Investments In The Fair Value Hierarchy [Member] | Commodity Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets		16,594	14,490
Investments In The Fair Value Hierarchy [Member] | Equities Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets		124,937	123,725
Investments In The Fair Value Hierarchy [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	[2]	530	647
Investments In The Fair Value Hierarchy [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	[2]	0	0
Investments In The Fair Value Hierarchy [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Commodity Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	[2]	0	0
Investments In The Fair Value Hierarchy [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Equities Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	[2]	530	647
Investments In The Fair Value Hierarchy [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	[2]	303,895	292,313
Investments In The Fair Value Hierarchy [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	[2]	162,894	154,745
Investments In The Fair Value Hierarchy [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Commodity Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	[2]	16,594	14,490
Investments In The Fair Value Hierarchy [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Equities Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	[2]	124,407	123,078
Investments In The Fair Value Hierarchy [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	[2]	0	0
Investments In The Fair Value Hierarchy [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	[2]	0	0
Investments In The Fair Value Hierarchy [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Commodity Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	[2]	0	0
Investments In The Fair Value Hierarchy [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Equities Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	[2]	$ 0	$ 0
[1]	As discussed in Note 1, we adopted ASU 2015-07 as of March 31, 2016. As a result, pension plan assets measured using the net asset value practical expedient were excluded from the fair value hierarchy.
[2]	See Note 1 under the caption Fair Value Measurements for a description of the fair value hierarchy.

BENEFIT PLANS (Employer Contrib

BENEFIT PLANS (Employer Contributions for Plan) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Postretirement Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer contributions	$ 5,280	$ 5,915	$ 7,739
2017 (estimated)	6,013
Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer contributions	9,576	14,047	$ 5,488
Employer contributions	48,302	$ 79,960
2017 (estimated)	$ 18,875

BENEFIT PLANS (Benefit Payments

BENEFIT PLANS (Benefit Payments Which Reflect Expected Future Service, Expected to be Paid) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
2,017	$ 52,691
2,018	55,221
2,019	56,720
2,020	57,664
2,021	58,755
2022-2026	304,149
Postretirement Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
2,017	6,013
2,018	5,757
2,019	5,510
2,020	5,227
2,021	4,826
2022-2026	$ 18,546

BENEFIT PLANS (Contributions by

BENEFIT PLANS (Contributions by Participants to Postretirement Benefit Plans) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Postretirement Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Participants Contributions	$ 2,085	$ 2,031	$ 1,873

INCENTIVE PLANS (Narrative) (De

INCENTIVE PLANS (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Pretax compensation expense	$ 17,823,000	$ 16,362,000	$ 22,217,000
Expense provision under cash-based compensation plans	32,169,000	26,325,000	27,442,000
Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Pretax compensation expense	$ 12,074,000	$ 13,159,000	$ 16,863,000
Shares granted	164,498
Distributions of shares	289,424
Weighted-average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	$ 87.73	$ 74.85	$ 63.42
SOSARs/Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation plans expiration period (in years)	10 years
Restricted Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Pretax compensation expense	$ 3,004,000	$ 982,000	$ 704,000
Shares granted	63,350
Distributions of shares	0	0	0
Weighted-average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	$ 87.77
Restricted Shares [Member] | Executive Officer [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares granted			0
Weighted-average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted		$ 74.85
Deferred Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Pretax compensation expense	$ 2,848,000	$ 1,886,000	$ 1,668,000
Share-based compensation plans vesting period (in years)	3 years
Minimum [Member] | Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Units paid target range	0.00%
Minimum [Member] | SOSARs/Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation plans vesting period (in years)	4 years
Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares that may be issued	8,000,000
Maximum [Member] | Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Units paid target range	200.00%

INCENTIVE PLANS (Summary Of Act

INCENTIVE PLANS (Summary Of Activity For Nonvested Performance Share Units) (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Target Number of Shares, Beginning Balance	806,339
Target Number of Shares, Granted	164,498
Target Number of Shares, Vested	(289,424)
Target Number of Shares, Canceled/forfeited	(14,317)
Target Number of Shares, Ending Balance	667,096	806,339
Weighted-average Grant Date Fair Value, Beginning Balance	$ 63.13
Weighted-average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	87.73	$ 74.85	$ 63.42
Weighted-average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested	53.65
Weighted-average Grant Date Fair Value, Canceled/forfeited	68.49
Weighted-average Grant Date Fair Value, Ending Balance	$ 73.20	$ 63.13
Restricted Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Target Number of Shares, Beginning Balance	74,000
Target Number of Shares, Granted	63,350
Target Number of Shares, Vested	0	0	0
Target Number of Shares, Canceled/forfeited	(1,920)
Target Number of Shares, Ending Balance	135,430	74,000
Weighted-average Grant Date Fair Value, Beginning Balance	$ 58.23
Weighted-average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	87.77
Weighted-average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested	0
Weighted-average Grant Date Fair Value, Canceled/forfeited	87.77
Weighted-average Grant Date Fair Value, Ending Balance	$ 71.63	$ 58.23

INCENTIVE PLANS (Aggregate Valu

INCENTIVE PLANS (Aggregate Value of Performance Shares) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Aggregate value of distributed performance shares	$ 60,443	$ 26,258	$ 0

INCENTIVE PLANS (Weighted-Avera

INCENTIVE PLANS (Weighted-Average Fair Value And Weighted-Average Assumptions Used In Estimating Fair Value of Grants) (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
INCENTIVE PLANS [Abstract]
Fair value	$ 29.20	$ 25.17	$ 21.94
Risk-free interest rate	1.66%	1.85%	2.40%
Dividend yield	1.39%	1.70%	1.64%
Volatility	30.42%	33.00%	33.00%
Expected term	9 years	8 years	8 years

INCENTIVE PLANS (Summary of Our

INCENTIVE PLANS (Summary of Our Stock Option/SOSAR Activity) (Details) - SOSARs/Stock Options [Member] $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Shares, Outstanding at January 1, 2016 | shares	3,052,749
Number of Shares, Granted | shares	97,700
Number of Shares, Exercised | shares	(753,251)
Number of Shares, Forfeited or expired | shares	(4,767)
Number of Shares, Outstanding at December 31, 2016 | shares	2,392,431
Number of Shares, Vested and expected to vest | shares	2,379,036
Number of Shares, Exercisable at December 31, 2016 | shares	2,005,030
Weighted-average Exercise Price, Outstanding at January 1, 2016 | $ / shares	$ 58.32
Weighted-average Exercise Price, Granted | $ / shares	92.02
Weighted-average Exercise Price, Exercised | $ / shares	83.29
Weighted-average Exercise Price, Forfeited or expired | $ / shares	78.22
Weighted-average Exercise Price, Outstanding at December 31, 2016 | $ / shares	51.80
Weighted-average Exercise Price, Vested and expected to vest | $ / shares	51.70
Weighted-average Exercise Price, Exercisable at December 31, 2016 | $ / shares	$ 47.30
Weighted-average Remaining Contractual Life (Years), Outstanding	4 years 3 months 18 days
Weighted-average Remaining Contractual Life (Years), Vested and expected to vest	4 years 3 months 11 days
Weighted-average Remaining Contractual Life (Years), Exercisable at December 31, 2016	3 years 7 months 13 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding at December 31, 2016 | $	$ 178,558
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Vested and expected to vest | $	177,794
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable at December 31, 2016 | $	$ 158,651

INCENTIVE PLANS (Aggregate Intr

INCENTIVE PLANS (Aggregate Intrinsic Values Of Options Exercised) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
INCENTIVE PLANS [Abstract]
Aggregate intrinsic value of SOSARs/stock options exercised	$ 27,705	$ 43,620	$ 7,372

INCENTIVE PLANS (Cash and Stock

INCENTIVE PLANS (Cash and Stock Consideration Received and Tax Benefit Realized from Stock Option/Sosar Exercises and Compensation Cost Recorded) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation cost	$ 17,823	$ 16,362	$ 22,217
SOSARs And Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Cash and stock consideration received from exercises	0	72,884	23,199
Tax benefit from exercises	10,767	16,920	2,844
Compensation cost	$ 2,744	$ 2,221	$ 4,650

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES99

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Narrative) (Details)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2007entitymi	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)item	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Expenditures under the noncapital purchase commitments		$ 60,591,000	$ 76,178,000	$ 65,582,000
Commitments of minimum royalties under mineral leases		216,241,000
Expenditures for mineral royalties under mineral leases		62,978,000	58,048,000	49,685,000
Asset retirement obligations		223,872,000	226,594,000	226,565,000
Unrecognized tax benefits		10,828,000	$ 8,447,000	$ 7,057,000	$ 12,155,000
Number of other companies to perform a Remedial Investigation/ Feasibility Study related to the Lower Passaic River Clean-Up lawsuit | entity	70
Number of miles of the River used in the Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study | mi	17
Minimum [Member] | Texas Brine and Occidental Chemical Co [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Total amount of damages claimed		500,000,000
Maximum [Member] | EPA [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Estimated implementation costs		1,380,000,000
Standby Letters of Credit [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Outstanding standby letters of credit		39,538,000
Property, Plant and Equipment [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Unconditional purchase obligations		132,046,000
Recorded unconditional purchase obligation in 2017		$ 131,846,000
Number of self-unloading ships | item		2
Property, Plant and Equipment [Member] | Ship Construction [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Recorded unconditional purchase obligation in 2017		$ 85,293,000
Noncapital [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Unconditional purchase obligations		55,037,000
Recorded unconditional purchase obligation in 2017		$ 24,402,000

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIE100

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Commitments Due) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Property, Plant and Equipment [Member]
Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
2,017	$ 131,846
Thereafter	200
Total	132,046
Noncapital [Member]
Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
2,017	24,402
2018-2019	19,406
2020–2021	7,229
Thereafter	4,000
Total	$ 55,037

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIE101

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Minimum royalties under mineral leases) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES [Abstract]
2,017	$ 22,153
2018–2019	36,196
2020–2021	23,513
Thereafter	134,379
Total	$ 216,241

EQUITY (Narrative) (Details)

EQUITY (Narrative) (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)item$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)shares
EQUITY [Abstract]
Common stock, par value | $ / shares	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock issued in connection with business acquisitions			715,004
Number of votes per common stock | item	1
Shares of common stock issued to trustee under 401(k) savings and retirement plan			485,306
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock to the trustee under 401(k) savings and retirement plan | $			$ 30,620
Cash payment for stock repurchase | $	$ 161,463	$ 21,475	$ 0
Treasury Stock Shares	0	0	0
Shares remaining under the current authorization repurchase program	1,756,757

EQUITY (Shares Purchased And Re

EQUITY (Shares Purchased And Retired) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
EQUITY [Abstract]
Shares Purchased and Retired, Number		1,427	228	0
Shares Purchased and Retired, Total cost	[1]	$ 161,463	$ 21,475	$ 0
Shares Purchased and Retired, Average cost	[1]	$ 113.18	$ 94.19	$ 0
Commissions, price per share		$ 0.02	$ 0.02
[1]	1Excludes commissions of $0.02 per share.

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Acc

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME [Abstract]
Cash flow hedges	$ (13,300)	$ (14,494)	$ (20,322)
Pension and postretirement plans	(126,076)	(105,575)	(141,392)
Total	$ (139,376)	$ (120,069)	$ (161,714)	$ (99,631)

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Cha

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
AOCI, Beginning balance	$ (120,069)	$ (161,714)	$ (99,631)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(20,583)	23,832	(69,051)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	1,276	17,813	6,968
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(19,307)	41,645	(62,083)
AOCI, Ending balance	(139,376)	(120,069)	(161,714)
Reclassification Adjustment for Cash Flow Hedge Losses [Member]
AOCI, Beginning balance	(14,494)	(20,322)	(25,178)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	0	0	0
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	1,194	5,828	4,856
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,194	5,828	4,856
AOCI, Ending balance	(13,300)	(14,494)	(20,322)
Amortization of Pension and Postretirement Plan Actuarial Loss and Prior Service Cost [Member]
AOCI, Beginning balance	(105,575)	(141,392)	(74,453)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(20,583)	23,832	(69,051)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	82	11,985	2,112
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(20,501)	35,817	(66,939)
AOCI, Ending balance	$ (126,076)	$ (105,575)	$ (141,392)

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Amo

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income to Earnings) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016	[1]	Sep. 30, 2016	[1]	Jun. 30, 2016	[1]	Mar. 31, 2016	[1]	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest expense														$ 134,076	$ 220,588	$ 243,367
Cost of revenues														2,591,850	2,564,648	2,406,587
Selling, administrative and general expenses														314,986	286,844	272,288
Benefit from income taxes														124,851	94,943	91,692
Net earnings		$ 112,600		$ 142,024		$ 124,709		$ 40,158		$ 88,888	$ 123,805	$ 48,162	$ (39,678)	419,491	221,177	204,923
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net earnings														1,276	17,813	6,968
Reclassification Adjustment for Cash Flow Hedge Losses [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest expense														2,008	9,759	7,988
Benefit from income taxes														(814)	(3,931)	(3,132)
Net earnings	[2]													1,194	5,828	4,856
Amortization of Pension and Postretirement Plan Actuarial Loss and Prior Service Cost [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Cost of revenues														109	15,916	2,789
Selling, administrative and general expenses														25	3,608	688
Benefit from income taxes														(52)	(7,539)	(1,365)
Net earnings	[3]													$ 82	$ 11,985	$ 2,112
[1]	1Amounts are revised to reflect the early adoption of ASU 2016-09 (See Note 1, caption Accounting Standards Recently Adopted) in the fourth quarter of 2016 and presented as adopted as of the beginning of the year. Earnings from continuing operations and Net earnings were increased, as follows: March 31 - $21,234,000 ($0.16 per share); June 30 - $959,000 ($0.01 in diluted net earnings per share only); and September 30 - $2,259,000 ($0.02 per share basic and $0.01 per share diluted).
[2]	Totals for 2015 and 2014 include the acceleration of a proportional amount of deferred losses on interest rate derivatives (see Note 5) referable to debt purchases (see Note 6).
[3]	Total for 2015 includes a one-time settlement loss resulting from a lump sum payment to a former employee (see Note 10). Total for 2014 includes a one-time curtailment gain (see Note 10) resulting from the sale of our cement and concrete businesses in the Florida area (see Note 19).

SEGMENT REPORTING (Narrative) (

SEGMENT REPORTING (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)statesegmentmi	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Number of operating segments | segment	4
Number of reportable segments | segment	4
Radius for delivering product, minimum | mi	20
Radius for delivering product, maximum | mi	25
Aggregates [Member]
Number Of States In Which Segments Serve | state	20
Number Of Additional States Served | state	2
Equity method investments	$ 22,965	$ 22,967	$ 22,924
Asphalt Mix [Member]
Number Of States In Which Segments Serve | state	4
Percentage of product weight attributable to Aggregates	95.00%
Concrete [Member]
Number Of States In Which Segments Serve | state	6
Percentage of product weight attributable to Aggregates	80.00%
United States [Member]
Revenues	$ 3,579,427	3,410,773	2,979,470
Nondomestic [Member]
Long-lived assets	188,652	160,125	139,427
Nondomestic [Member] | Aggregates [Member]
Product sales	13,240	11,408	14,699
Nondomestic [Member] | Asphalt Mix, Concrete And Calcium [Member]
Product sales	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

SEGMENT REPORTING (Segment Fina

SEGMENT REPORTING (Segment Financial Disclosure) (Details) $ in Thousands		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
		Jan. 31, 2015property	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues			$ 872,974	$ 1,008,140	$ 956,825	$ 754,728	$ 857,285	$ 1,038,460	$ 895,143	$ 631,293	$ 3,592,667	$ 3,422,181	$ 2,994,169
Gross profit			239,706	$ 304,209	$ 292,184	$ 164,718	253,929	$ 291,290	$ 234,449	$ 77,865	1,000,817	857,533	587,582
Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization											284,940	274,823	279,497
Capital Expenditures	[1]										344,941	304,024	223,097
Cash and cash equivalents			258,986				284,060				258,986	284,060	141,273	$ 193,738
Total assets			8,471,475				8,301,632				8,471,475	8,301,632	8,041,097
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues											3,813,130	3,616,298	3,192,787
Total assets	[2]		8,046,371				7,995,691				8,046,371	7,995,691	7,808,326
Aggregates [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	[3]										2,961,835	2,777,758	2,346,411
Gross profit											873,118	755,666	544,070
Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization											236,472	228,466	227,042
Capital Expenditures	[1]										297,737	269,014	180,026
Total assets	[2]		7,589,225				7,540,273				7,589,225	7,540,273	7,311,336
Aggregates [Member] | Intersegment sales [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues											(220,463)	(194,117)	(189,393)
Asphalt Mix [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of asphalt mix plants | property		13
Asphalt Mix [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	[4]										512,310	530,692	445,538
Gross profit	[4]										97,682	78,225	38,080
Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization	[4]										16,797	16,378	10,719
Capital Expenditures	[1],[4]										29,002	8,111	20,796
Total assets	[2],[4]		259,514				251,716				259,514	251,716	264,172
Concrete [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	[4],[5]										330,125	299,252	375,806
Gross profit	[4],[5]										26,543	20,152	2,233
Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization	[4],[5]										12,129	11,374	19,892
Capital Expenditures	[1],[4],[5]										10,047	19,053	19,542
Total assets	[2],[4],[5]		192,673				198,193				192,673	198,193	227,000
Calcium [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	[6]										8,860	8,596	25,032
Gross profit	[6]										3,474	3,490	3,199
Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization	[6]										774	679	1,554
Capital Expenditures	[1],[6]										534	0	201
Total assets	[2],[6]		4,959				5,509				4,959	5,509	5,818
Calcium [Member] | Intersegment sales [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues											0	0	(9,225)
Other Segments [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization											18,768	17,926	20,290
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Capital Expenditures	[1]										7,621	7,846	2,532
Total assets			$ 166,118				$ 21,881				$ 166,118	$ 21,881	$ 91,498
[1]	Capital expenditures include capitalized replacements of and additions to property, plant & equipment, including capitalized leases, renewals and betterments. Capital expenditures exclude property, plant & equipment obtained by business acquisitions.
[2]	Certain temporarily idled assets are included within a segment's Identifiable Assets but the associated DDA&A is shown within Other in the DDA&A section above as the related DDA&A is excluded from segment gross profit.
[3]	Includes product sales, as well as freight, delivery and transportation revenues, and other revenues related to services.
[4]	In January 2015, we exchanged our California ready-mixed concrete operations for 13 asphalt mix plants, primarily in Arizona (see Note 19).
[5]	In March 2014, we sold our concrete business in the Florida area (see Note 19).
[6]	Includes cement and calcium products. In March 2014, we sold our cement business (see Note 19).

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFOR109

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION [Abstract]
Interest (exclusive of amount capitalized)	$ 135,039	$ 208,288	$ 241,841
Income taxes	102,849	53,623	79,862
Accrued liabilities for purchases of property, plant & equipment	26,676	31,883	17,120
Liabilities assumed	798	2,645	26,622
Fair value of noncash assets and liabilities exchanged	0	20,000	2,414
Fair value of equity consideration	$ 0	$ 0	$ 45,185

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS (N

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS (Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)aproperty	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Reclamation activities	$ 17,114,000	$ 18,048,000
California [Member]
Reclamation activities	$ 12,602,000	$ 13,117,000
Adjacent aggregates sites | property	2
Property, acres | a	90

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS (A

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS (Asset Retirement Obligations Operating Costs) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS [Abstract]
Accretion	$ 11,059	$ 11,474	$ 11,601
Depreciation	6,353	6,515	4,462
Total	$ 17,412	$ 17,989	$ 16,063

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS (R

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS (Reconciliations of Asset Retirement Obligations) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 226,594	$ 226,565
Liabilities incurred	505	6,235
Liabilities settled	(17,114)	(18,048)
Accretion expense	11,059	11,474	$ 11,601
Revisions, net	2,828	368
Balance at end of year	$ 223,872	$ 226,594	$ 226,565

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSE113

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)segment	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS [Abstract]
Goodwill impairment charges	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Number of Reportable Segments | segment	4
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived	$ 8,180	$ 2,858	$ 0

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSE114

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill by Reportable Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill, Beginning balance	$ 3,094,824
Goodwill of acquired businesses	0	$ 13,303
Goodwill, Ending balance	3,094,824	3,094,824
Aggregates [Member]
Goodwill, Beginning balance	3,003,191
Goodwill, Ending balance	3,003,191	3,003,191
Asphalt Mix [Member]
Goodwill, Beginning balance	91,633
Goodwill, Ending balance	91,633	91,633
Concrete [Member]
Goodwill, Beginning balance	0
Goodwill, Ending balance	0	0
Calcium [Member]
Goodwill, Beginning balance	0
Goodwill, Ending balance	$ 0	$ 0

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSE115

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Gross Carrying Amount and Accumulated Amortization by Major Intangible Asset Class) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount		$ 874,550	$ 859,017
Accumulated amortization		(105,498)	(92,438)
Total Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization, net		769,052	766,579
Intangible Assets with Indefinite Lives		0	0
Total Intangible Assets, net		769,052	766,579
Amortization Expense for the Year		17,565	15,618	$ 10,966
Contractual Rights In Place [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount		742,085	735,935
Accumulated amortization		(77,515)	(65,641)
Noncompetition Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount		6,757	2,800
Accumulated amortization		(1,118)	(506)
Favorable Lease Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount		9,479	16,677
Accumulated amortization		(2,822)	(4,002)
Permitting Permitting Compliance And Zoning Rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount		112,058	99,513
Accumulated amortization		(21,701)	(20,350)
Other [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	[1]	4,171	4,092
Accumulated amortization	[1]	$ (2,342)	$ (1,939)
[1]	Includes customer relationships and tradenames and trademarks.

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSE116

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Estimated Amortization Expense) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS [Abstract]
2,017	$ 16,308
2,018	15,941
2,019	16,222
2,020	15,488
2,021	$ 14,288

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURE117

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)itemproperty	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)property	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)itempropertyshares
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Cash consideration				$ 32,537,000	$ 27,198,000	$ 284,237,000
Total consideration				33,287,000	47,198,000	331,836,000
Payable to seller				750,000
Exchanges of real property and businesses					20,000,000	2,414,000
Prepaid expenses	$ 31,726,000			31,726,000	34,284,000
Gain on sale of property, plant & equipment and businesses				15,431,000	9,927,000	244,222,000
Proceeds from sale of businesses, net of transaction costs				0	0	721,359,000
Proceeds From Sale Of Property Plant And Equipment				23,318,000	8,218,000	26,028,000
Amortizable intangible assets recognized						128,286,000
Goodwill of acquired businesses				0		13,303,000
Consideration transferred, common stock				0	0	$ 45,185,000
Common stock issued in connection with business acquisitions | shares						715,004
Virginia Plant Relocation [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Gain on sale of property, plant & equipment and businesses	4,335,000
Proceeds From Sale Of Property Plant And Equipment	6,000,000
Acquisitions 2016 [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Amortizable intangible assets recognized				$ 16,670,000
Acquisitions 2015 [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Amortizable intangible assets recognized					$ 17,734,000
California [Member] | California ready-mixed concrete operations [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Number of facilities divested | property					12
Gain on sale of property, plant & equipment and businesses		$ 5,886,000
California And Virginia [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Gain on sale of property, plant & equipment and businesses	11,871,000
Proceeds From Sale Of Property Plant And Equipment	$ 19,185,000
Aggregates [Member] | Tennessee [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Number of facilities acquired | property					1
Gain on sale of property, plant & equipment and businesses			$ 5,790,000
Proceeds From Sale Of Property Plant And Equipment			5,820,000
Aggregates [Member] | Arizona and New Mexico [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Number of facilities acquired | property					3	5
Aggregates [Member] | California [Member] | Southern California Acquisition [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Number of facilities acquired | property						1
Aggregates [Member] | California [Member] | San Francisco Bay Area Acquisition [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Number of facilities acquired | property						4
Aggregates [Member] | Delaware [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Number of facilities acquired | property						2
Aggregates [Member] | Texas [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Number of facilities acquired | property				1
Aggregates [Member] | Maryland [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Gain on sale of property, plant & equipment and businesses			168,000
Proceeds From Sale Of Property Plant And Equipment			10,727,000
Concrete [Member] | Arizona and New Mexico [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Number of facilities acquired | property					7
Asphalt Mix [Member] | Arizona [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Number of facilities acquired | property					13
Asphalt Mix [Member] | California [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Number of facilities acquired | property						2
Asphalt Mix [Member] | New Mexico [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Number of facilities acquired | property				1
Cement And Concrete [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Gain on sale of property, plant & equipment and businesses			227,910,000
Proceeds from sale of businesses, net of transaction costs			$ 721,359,000
Supply agreement period			20 years
Rail-connected aggregates operation [Member] | Texas [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Number of facilities acquired | item						1
Distribution yards [Member] | Texas [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Number of distribution yard acquired | property						2
Permitted aggregates quarry [Member] | Alabama [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Number of facilities acquired | item						1
Distribution Business Assets [Member] | Georgia [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Number of facilities acquired | item				1
Contractual Rights In Place [Member] | Acquisitions 2016 [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Intangible assets amortization period, tax purposes				15 years
Contractual Rights In Place [Member] | Acquisitions 2015 [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Amortizable intangible assets recognized					$ 17,484,000
Intangible assets amortization period, tax purposes				15 years
Contractual Rights In Place [Member] | Acquisitions 2014 [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Amortizable intangible assets recognized						$ 36,921,000
Estimated weighted-average amortization period of intangible assets				40 years
Intangible assets amortization period, tax purposes				15 years
Contractual Rights In Place - Straight-Line Method [Member] | Acquisitions 2016 [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Amortizable intangible assets recognized				$ 6,798,000
Estimated weighted-average amortization period of intangible assets				20 years
Contractual Rights In Place - Straight-Line Method [Member] | Acquisitions 2015 [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Amortizable intangible assets recognized					7,168,000
Estimated weighted-average amortization period of intangible assets				20 years
Contractual Rights In Place - Units Of Production [Member] | Acquisitions 2016 [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Amortizable intangible assets recognized				$ 8,415,000
Estimated weighted-average amortization period of intangible assets				20 years
Contractual Rights In Place - Units Of Production [Member] | Acquisitions 2015 [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Amortizable intangible assets recognized					10,317,000
Estimated weighted-average amortization period of intangible assets				34 years
Noncompetition Agreements [Member] | Acquisitions 2015 [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Amortizable intangible assets recognized					$ 250,000

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURE118

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES (Schedule Of Business Acquisitions) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES [Abstract]
Cash consideration	$ 32,537
Payable to seller	750
Total fair value of purchase consideration	33,287	$ 47,198	$ 331,836
Accounts and notes receivable, net	1,034
Inventories	169
Property, plant & equipment, net	15,462
Contractual rights in place	15,213
Noncompetition agreement	1,457
Liabilities assumed	(48)
Net identifiable assets acquired	33,287
Goodwill	$ 0		$ 13,303

UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (D

UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended													12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016		Sep. 30, 2016		Jun. 30, 2016		Mar. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Total revenues	$ 872,974		$ 1,008,140		$ 956,825		$ 754,728		$ 857,285	$ 1,038,460	$ 895,143	$ 631,293		$ 3,592,667	$ 3,422,181	$ 2,994,169
Gross profit	239,706		304,209		292,184		164,718		253,929	291,290	234,449	77,865		1,000,817	857,533	587,582
Operating earnings	173,799		227,076		213,786		64,921		173,037	212,206	153,776	10,759		679,582	549,778	538,138
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	108,063	[1]	145,137	[1]	127,241	[1]	41,965	[1]	93,560	126,202	49,819	(36,667)		422,406	232,914	207,146
Net loss	$ 112,600	[1]	$ 142,024	[1]	$ 124,709	[1]	$ 40,158	[1]	$ 88,888	$ 123,805	$ 48,162	$ (39,678)		$ 419,491	$ 221,177	$ 204,923
Basic earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations	$ 0.82	[1]	$ 1.09	[1]	$ 0.95	[1]	$ 0.31	[1]	$ 0.70	$ 0.95	$ 0.37	$ (0.28)		$ 3.17	$ 1.75	$ 1.58
Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations	0.80	[1]	1.07	[1]	0.93	[1]	0.31	[1]	0.69	0.93	0.37	(0.28)		3.11	1.72	1.56
Basic net earnings (loss) per share	0.85	[1]	1.07	[1]	0.93	[1]	0.30	[1]	0.67	0.93	0.36	(0.30)		3.15	1.66	1.56
Diluted net earnings (loss) per share	$ 0.83	[1]	$ 1.05	[1]	$ 0.92	[1]	$ 0.30	[1]	$ 0.65	$ 0.91	$ 0.36	$ (0.30)		$ 3.09	$ 1.64	$ 1.54
Gain on sale of properties and businesses														$ 15,431	$ 9,927	$ 244,222
Cement And Concrete [Member]
Gain on sale of properties and businesses													$ 227,910
[1]	1Amounts are revised to reflect the early adoption of ASU 2016-09 (See Note 1, caption Accounting Standards Recently Adopted) in the fourth quarter of 2016 and presented as adopted as of the beginning of the year. Earnings from continuing operations and Net earnings were increased, as follows: March 31 - $21,234,000 ($0.16 per share); June 30 - $959,000 ($0.01 in diluted net earnings per share only); and September 30 - $2,259,000 ($0.02 per share basic and $0.01 per share diluted).

UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (A

UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (Additional Information) (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	[1]	Sep. 30, 2016		Jun. 30, 2016		Mar. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	$ 108,063,000		$ 145,137,000	[1]	$ 127,241,000	[1]	$ 41,965,000	[1]	$ 93,560,000	$ 126,202,000	$ 49,819,000	$ (36,667,000)	$ 422,406,000	$ 232,914,000	$ 207,146,000
Net earnings (loss)	$ 112,600,000		$ 142,024,000	[1]	$ 124,709,000	[1]	$ 40,158,000	[1]	$ 88,888,000	$ 123,805,000	$ 48,162,000	$ (39,678,000)	$ 419,491,000	$ 221,177,000	$ 204,923,000
Net earnings per share, basic	$ 0.85		$ 1.07	[1]	$ 0.93	[1]	$ 0.30	[1]	$ 0.67	$ 0.93	$ 0.36	$ (0.30)	$ 3.15	$ 1.66	$ 1.56
Net earnings per share, diluted	$ 0.83		$ 1.05	[1]	$ 0.92	[1]	$ 0.30	[1]	$ 0.65	$ 0.91	$ 0.36	$ (0.30)	$ 3.09	$ 1.64	$ 1.54
Restatement Adjustment [Member]
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations			$ 2,259,000		$ 959,000		$ 21,234,000
Net earnings (loss)			$ 2,259,000		$ 959,000		$ 21,234,000
Net earnings per share							$ 0.16
Net earnings per share, basic			$ 0.02
Net earnings per share, diluted			$ 0.01		$ 0.01
[1]	1Amounts are revised to reflect the early adoption of ASU 2016-09 (See Note 1, caption Accounting Standards Recently Adopted) in the fourth quarter of 2016 and presented as adopted as of the beginning of the year. Earnings from continuing operations and Net earnings were increased, as follows: March 31 - $21,234,000 ($0.16 per share); June 30 - $959,000 ($0.01 in diluted net earnings per share only); and September 30 - $2,259,000 ($0.02 per share basic and $0.01 per share diluted).