Vulcan Materials 10-K 26 Feb 19 2018 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Feb. 12, 2019	Jun. 29, 2018
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,018
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		131,830,868
Entity Public Float			$ 17,035,024,582
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Shell Company	false

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME [Abstract]
Total revenues	[1]	$ 4,382,869	$ 3,890,296	$ 3,592,667
Cost of revenues		3,281,924	2,896,783	2,603,782
Gross profit		1,100,945	993,513	988,885
Selling, administrative and general expenses		333,371	324,972	316,769
Gain on sale of property, plant & equipment and businesses		14,944	17,827	15,431
Other operating expense, net		(34,805)	(47,324)	(21,645)
Operating earnings		747,713	639,044	665,902
Other nonoperating income, net		13,000	13,357	14,624
Interest income		554	4,437	807
Interest expense		137,977	295,522	134,076
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes		623,290	361,316	547,257
Income tax expense (benefit)
Current		40,516	354	94,254
Deferred		64,933	(232,429)	30,597
Total income tax expense (benefit)		105,449	(232,075)	124,851
Earnings from continuing operations		517,841	593,391	422,406
Earnings (loss) on discontinued operations, net of tax		(2,036)	7,794	(2,915)
Net earnings		515,805	601,185	419,491
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Deferred gain on interest rate derivative		2,496	0	0
Amortization of prior interest rate derivative loss		226	1,862	1,194
Adjustment for funded status of benefit plans		(207)	(14,106)	(20,583)
Amortization of actuarial loss and prior service cost for benefit plans		4,365	2,154	82
Other comprehensive income (loss)		6,880	(10,090)	(19,307)
Comprehensive income		$ 522,685	$ 591,095	$ 400,184
Basic earnings (loss) per share
Continuing operations		$ 3.91	$ 4.48	$ 3.17
Discontinued operations		(0.01)	0.06	(0.02)
Net earnings		3.90	4.54	3.15
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
Continuing operations		3.87	4.40	3.11
Discontinued operations		(0.02)	0.06	(0.02)
Net earnings		$ 3.85	$ 4.46	$ 3.09
Weighted-average common shares outstanding
Basic		132,393	132,513	133,205
Assuming dilution		133,926	134,878	135,790
[1]	The geographic markets are defined by states/countries as follows:East market - Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington D.C.Gulf Coast market - Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mexico, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and the BahamasWest market - Arizona, California and New Mexico

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 40,037	$ 141,646
Restricted cash	4,367	5,000
Accounts and notes receivable
Customers, less allowance for doubtful accounts 2018 — $2,090; 2017 — $2,649	512,279	434,089
Other	28,499	154,248
Inventories	429,330	384,338
Other current assets	64,633	60,780
Total current assets	1,079,145	1,180,101
Investments and long-term receivables	44,615	35,115
Property, plant & equipment, net	4,237,307	3,918,931
Goodwill	3,165,396	3,122,321
Other intangible assets, net	1,095,378	1,063,630
Other noncurrent assets	210,289	184,793
Total assets	9,832,130	9,504,891
Liabilities
Current maturities of long-term debt	23	41,383
Short-term debt	133,000	0
Trade payables and accruals	216,473	197,335
Accrued salaries, wages and management incentives	91,960	87,208
Accrued interest	19,631	11,664
Other current liabilities	141,463	105,282
Total current liabilities	602,550	442,872
Long-term debt	2,779,357	2,813,482
Deferred income taxes, net	567,283	464,081
Deferred management incentive and other compensation	16,604	19,856
Pension benefits	119,587	245,449
Other postretirement benefits	35,274	37,856
Asset retirement obligations	225,726	218,117
Deferred revenue	186,397	191,476
Other noncurrent liabilities	96,449	102,809
Total liabilities	4,629,227	4,535,998
Other commitments and contingencies (Note 12)
Equity
Common stock, $1 par value, Authorized 480,000 shares, Outstanding 131,762, and 132,324 shares, respectively	131,762	132,324
Capital in excess of par value	2,798,486	2,805,587
Retained earnings	2,444,870	2,180,448
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(172,215)	(149,466)
Total equity	5,202,903	4,968,893
Total liabilities and equity	$ 9,832,130	$ 9,504,891

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS [Abstract]
Customers, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 2,090	$ 2,649
Common stock, par value	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, shares authorized	480,000,000	480,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	131,762,000	132,324,000

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Operating Activities
Net earnings	$ 515,805	$ 601,185	$ 419,491
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization	346,246	305,965	284,940
Net gain on sale of property, plant & equipment and businesses	(14,944)	(17,827)	(15,431)
Contributions to pension plans	(109,631)	(20,023)	(9,576)
Share-based compensation expense	25,215	26,635	20,670
Deferred tax expense (benefit)	64,639	(235,697)	33,591
Cost of debt purchase	6,922	140,772	0
(Increase) decrease in assets excluding the initial effects of business acquisitions and dispositions
Accounts and notes receivable	63,230	(81,561)	(72,763)
Inventories	(34,976)	(14,121)	1,625
Prepaid expenses	(2,167)	(28,445)	2,558
Other assets	(58,489)	(23,759)	(18,236)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities excluding the initial effects of business acquisitions and dispositions
Accrued interest and income taxes	12,148	1,303	(7,187)
Trade payables and other accruals	40,181	9,823	30,353
Other noncurrent liabilities	(26,901)	(32,592)	(29,138)
Other, net	5,499	13,020	3,691
Net cash provided by operating activities	832,777	644,678	644,588
Investing Activities
Purchases of property, plant & equipment	(469,088)	(459,566)	(350,148)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant & equipment	22,210	15,756	23,318
Proceeds from sale of businesses	11,256	287,292	0
Payment for businesses acquired, net of acquired cash	(221,419)	(1,109,725)	(32,537)
Other, net	(12,850)	(3,248)	2,173
Net cash used for investing activities	(669,891)	(1,269,491)	(357,194)
Financing Activities
Proceeds from short-term debt	739,900	5,000	3,000
Payment of short-term debt	(606,900)	(5,000)	(3,000)
Payment of current maturities and long-term debt	(892,055)	(1,463,308)	(130)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	850,000	2,200,000	0
Debt issuance and exchange costs	(45,513)	(15,291)	(1,860)
Settlements of interest rate derivatives	3,378	0	0
Purchases of common stock	(133,983)	(60,303)	(161,463)
Dividends paid	(148,109)	(132,335)	(106,333)
Share-based compensation, shares withheld for taxes	(31,846)	(25,323)	(34,799)
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities	(265,128)	503,440	(304,585)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash	(102,242)	(121,373)	(17,191)
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year	146,646	268,019	285,210
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year	$ 44,404	$ 146,646	$ 268,019

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUI

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ 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, 2015	133,172
Balance at beginning of period 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
Share-based compensation plans, net of shares withheld for taxes, shares	594
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)
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
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 132,339	2,807,995	1,771,518	(139,376)	4,572,476
Net earnings	$ 0	0	601,185	0	601,185
Share-based compensation plans, net of shares withheld for taxes, shares	495
Share-based compensation plans, net of shares withheld for taxes	$ 495	(29,168)	0	0	(28,673)
Purchase and retirement of common stock, shares	(510)
Purchase and retirement of common stock	$ (510)	0	(59,793)	0	(60,303)
Share-based compensation expense	0	26,635	0	0	26,635
Cash dividends on common stock	0	0	(132,335)	0	(132,335)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	0	(10,090)	(10,090)
Other	$ 0	125	(127)	0	(2)
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2017	132,324
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 132,324	2,805,587	2,180,448	(149,466)	4,968,893
Released stranded tax effects ASU 2018-02 (Note 9)	0	0	29,629	(29,629)	0
Balances at January 1, 2018, due to reclassification	132,324	2,805,587	2,210,077	(179,095)	4,968,893
Net earnings	$ 0	0	515,805	0	515,805
Share-based compensation plans, net of shares withheld for taxes, shares	630
Share-based compensation plans, net of shares withheld for taxes	$ 630	(32,428)	0	0	(31,798)
Purchase and retirement of common stock, shares	(1,192)
Purchase and retirement of common stock	$ (1,192)	0	(132,791)	0	(133,983)
Share-based compensation expense	0	25,215	0	0	25,215
Cash dividends on common stock	0	0	(148,109)	0	(148,109)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	0	6,880	6,880
Other	$ 0	112	(112)	0	0
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2018	131,762
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 131,762	$ 2,798,486	$ 2,444,870	$ (172,215)	$ 5,202,903

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTI

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
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, is the 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 operate primarily in the United States and our principal product — aggregates — is used in virtually all types of public and private construction projects and in the production 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 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 Alabama, mid-Atlantic, Southwestern, Tennessee and Western markets. Due to the 2005 sale of our Chemicals business as described below, the results of the Chemicals business are presented as discontinued operations in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. 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. Results from discontinued operations are as follows:    in thousands 2018 2017 2016  Discontinued Operations  Pretax earnings (loss) $ (2,748) $ 12,959 $ (4,877)  Income tax (expense) benefit 712 (5,165) 1,962  Earnings (loss) on discontinued operations,  net of tax $ (2,036) $ 7,794 $ (2,915)  Discontinued operations include charges related to general and product liability costs, including legal defense costs, and environmental remediation costs associated with our former Chemicals business. The 2017 results also reflect insurance recoveries for past legal expenses associated with the Texas Brine matter (see Note 12). There were no revenues from discontinued operations for the years presented. PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Vulcan Materials Company and all our majority or wholly-owned subsidiary companies. Partially-owned affiliates are either consolidated or accounted for at cost or as equity investments depending on the level of ownership interest or our ability to exercise control over the affiliates’ operations. 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 impairments, business combinations and purchase price allocation, pension and other postretirement benefits, environmental compliance, claims and litigation including self-insurance, and income taxes. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS We account for business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting. The purchase price of an acquisition is allocated to the underlying identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their respective fair values. The purchase price is determined based on the fair value of consideration transferred to and liabilities assumed from the seller as of the date of acquisition. We allocate the purchase price to the fair values of the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the date of acquisition. Goodwill is recorded for the excess of the purchase price over the net of the fair value of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Determining the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires judgment and often involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction, and therefore represents an exit price. A fair value measurement assumes the highest and best use of the asset by market participants. We may adjust the amounts recognized in an acquisition during a measurement period after the acquisition date. Any such adjustments are the result of subsequently obtaining additional information that existed at the acquisition date regarding the assets acquired or the liabilities assumed. Measurement period adjustments are generally recorded as increases or decreases to goodwill, if any, recognized in the transaction. The cumulative impact of measurement period adjustments on depreciation, amortization and other income statement items are recognized in the period the adjustment is determined. 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 and cash reserved by other contractual agreements (such as asset purchase agreements) for a specified purpose and therefore not available for use in our operations. The escrow accounts are administered by an intermediary. Cash restricted pursuant to like-kind exchange agreements remains restricted for a maximum of 180 days from the date of the property sale pending the acquisition of replacement property. Restricted cash is included with cash and cash equivalents 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 15 days of the month following invoice. 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. As of December 31, 2018, income tax receivables of $922,000 are included in other accounts and notes receivable in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet. There were similar receivables of $106,980,000 ( $106,000,000 related to 2017 federal estimated payments which were refunded early 2018) as of December 31, 2017. Receivables are aged and appropriate allowances for doubtful accounts and bad debt expense are recorded. Bad debt expense (net of recoveries) for the years ended December 31 was as follows: 2018 — $251,000 , 2017 — $812,000 and 2016 — $(1,190,000) . Write-offs of accounts receivables for the years ended December 31 were as follows: 2018 — $1,291,000 , 2017 — $1,384,000 and 2016 — $1,544,000 . The bad debt recovery 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 net realizable value. 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 $4,155,000 and $4,446,000 are reflected in net property, plant & equipment as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. We capitalized software costs for the years ended December 31 as follows: 2018 — $2,213,000 , 2017 — $1,988,000 and 2016 — $152,000 . 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 35 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-sales 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-sales 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 2018 2017 2016  Depreciation, Depletion, Accretion and Amortization  Depreciation $ 276,814 $ 250,835 $ 238,237  Depletion 23,260 19,342 17,812  Accretion 10,776 11,415 11,059  Amortization of leaseholds 472 608 267  Amortization of intangibles 34,924 23,765 17,565  Total $ 346,246 $ 305,965 $ 284,940  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. Changes in the fair value of 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. Changes in the fair value of 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. 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 2018 2017  Fair Value Recurring  Rabbi Trust  Mutual funds $ 19,164 $ 20,348  Total $ 19,164 $ 20,348     Level 2 Fair Value  in thousands 2018 2017  Fair Value Recurring  Rabbi Trust  Money market mutual fund $ 1,015 $ 1,203  Total $ 1,015 $ 1,203  We have two 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 Trusts’ investments were $(2,741,000) , $2,441,000 and $2,741,000 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The portions of the net gains (losses) related to investments still held by the Rabbi Trusts at December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 were $(4,386,000) , $(3,618,000) and $1,599,000 , respectively. 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. GOO DWILL 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, 2018, goodwill totaled $3,165,396,000 , as compared to $3,122,321,000 at December 31, 2017. Goodwill represents 32% of total assets at December 31, 2018 compared to 33% at December 31, 2017. 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, Concrete and Calcium. Within these four operating segments, we have identified 17 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 quantitative test. We elected to perform the quantitative impairment test for all years presented. The quantitative impairment test compares the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. I f the fair value exceeds its carrying value, the goodwill of the reporting unit is not considered impaired. However, if the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, we recognize an impairment loss equal to that excess. The results of the annual impairment tests performed as of November 1, 2018, 2017 and 2016 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, 2018, 2017 or 2016. 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, 2018, net property, plant & equipment represents 43% of total assets, while net other intangible assets represents 11% of total assets. During 2018 and 2017, we recorded no losses on impairment of long-lived 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. For additional information about long-lived assets and intangible assets see Notes 4 and 18. 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 $78,911,000 in 2018, $65,944,000 in 2017 and $55,987,000 in 2016. 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-sales method. Pre-production stripping costs included in other noncurrent assets were $95,800,000 as of December 31, 2018 and $81,241,000 as of December 31, 2017. This year-over-year increase resulted primarily from the removal of overburden at a greenfield site in California. 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 $225,726,000 as of December 31, 2018 and $218,117,000 as of December 31, 2017. For additional information about reclamation obligations (referred to in our financial statements as asset retirement obligations) see Note 17. 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 the 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, 2018, 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 $3,105,000 — 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 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 2018 2017  Self-insurance Program  Self-insured liabilities (undiscounted) $ 68,912 $ 58,216  Insured liabilities (undiscounted) 4,377 7,892  Discount rate 2.93% 1.93%  Amounts Recognized in Consolidated  Balance Sheets  Other accounts and notes receivable $ 631 $ 6,158  Investments and long-term receivables 3,932 7,246  Other current liabilities (18,466) (20,036)  Other noncurrent liabilities (48,049) (41,792)  Net liabilities (discounted) $ (61,952) $ (48,424)  Estimated payments (undiscounted and excluding the impact of related receivables) under our self-insurance program for the five years subsequent to December 31, 2018 are as follows:     in thousands  Estimated Payments under Self-insurance Program  2019 $ 20,529  2020 15,232  2021 11,615  2022 6,360  2023 3,665  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. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION All of our share-based compensation awards are classified as equity awards. We measure share-based compensation awards using fair-value-based measurement methods. This results in the recognition of compensation expense for all share-based compensation awards based on their fair value as of the grant date. Compensation cost is recognized over the requisite service period. Forfeitures are recognized as they occur. A summary of the estimated future compensation cost (unrecognized compensation expense) as of December 31, 2018 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 $ 3,376 1.4  Performance shares 14,250 1.6  Restricted shares 6,098 1.7  Total/weighted-average $ 23,724 1.6   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 2018 2017 2016  Employee Share-based Compensation Awards  Pretax compensation expense $ 23,250 $ 24,367 $ 17,823  Income tax benefits 5,940 6,226 6,925  We 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. Tax 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. Net excess tax benefits were recorded as reductions to our income tax expense and reflected as operating cash flows, as follows (combined federal and state): 2018 — $20,137,000 ; 2017 — $22,962,000 ; and 2016 — $24,847,000 . For additional information about share-based compensation, see Note 11 under the caption Share-based Compensation Plans. PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS Accounting for pension and other postretirement benefits requires that we use assumptions for the valuation of projected benefit obligations (PBO) and the performance of plan assets. Each year, we review our assumptions for discount rates (used for PBO, service cost, and interest cost

REVENUES

REVENUES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
REVENUES [Abstract]
REVENUES	NOTE 2: REVENUES There have been no significant changes to the amount or timing of our revenue recognition as a result of our adoption of ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606). Revenues are measured as the amount of consideration we expect to receive in exchange for transferring goods or providing services. Sales and other taxes we collect are excluded from revenues. Costs to obtain and fulfill contracts (primarily asphalt construction paving contracts) are immaterial and are expensed as incurred when the expected amortization period is one year or less. Total revenues are primarily derived from our product sales of aggregates (crushed stone, sand and gravel, sand and other aggregates), asphalt mix and ready-mixed concrete, and include freight & delivery costs that we pass along to our customers to deliver these products. We also generate service revenues from our asphalt construction paving business and service revenues related to our aggregates business, such as landfill tipping fees. Our total service revenues were as follows: 2018 — $198,897,000 , 2017 — $113,422,000 and 2016 — $42,904,000 . The increased service revenues resulted from acquisitions that included asphalt construction paving businesses (2018 – Alabama and Texas, and 2017 – Tennessee, See Note 19). Our products typically are sold to private industry and not directly to governmental entities. Although approximately 45% to 55% of our aggregates shipments have historically been used in publicly-funded construction, such as highways, airports and government buildings, relatively insignificant sales are made directly to federal, state, county or municipal governments/agencies. Therefore, although reductions in state and federal funding can curtail publicly-funded construction, our aggregates business is not directly subject to renegotiation of profits or termination of contracts with state or federal governments. Our segment total revenues by geographic market for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 are disaggregated as follows:    For the Year Ended December 31, 2018  in thousands Aggregates Asphalt Concrete Calcium Total  Total Revenues by Geographic Market 1  East $ 1,109,489 $ 156,591 $ 257,250 $ 0 $ 1,523,330  Gulf Coast 1,821,853 131,745 71,739 8,110 2,033,447  West 582,307 444,846 73,010 0 1,100,163  Segment sales $ 3,513,649 $ 733,182 $ 401,999 $ 8,110 $ 4,656,940  Intersegment sales (274,071) 0 0 0 (274,071)  Total revenues $ 3,239,578 $ 733,182 $ 401,999 $ 8,110 $ 4,382,869     For the Year Ended December 31, 2017  in thousands Aggregates Asphalt Concrete Calcium Total  Total Revenues by Geographic Market 1  East $ 1,045,682 $ 112,673 $ 244,568 $ 0 $ 1,402,923  Gulf Coast 1,512,505 80,311 102,716 7,740 1,703,272  West 537,907 429,090 70,461 0 1,037,458  Segment sales $ 3,096,094 $ 622,074 $ 417,745 $ 7,740 $ 4,143,653  Intersegment sales (253,357) 0 0 0 (253,357)  Total revenues $ 2,842,737 $ 622,074 $ 417,745 $ 7,740 $ 3,890,296     For the Year Ended December 31, 2016  in thousands Aggregates Asphalt Concrete Calcium Total  Total Revenues by Geographic Market 1  East $ 994,559 $ 0 $ 203,734 $ 0 $ 1,198,293  Gulf Coast 1,497,762 102,035 99,253 8,860 1,707,910  West 469,514 410,275 27,138 0 906,927  Segment sales $ 2,961,835 $ 512,310 $ 330,125 $ 8,860 $ 3,813,130  Intersegment sales (220,463) 0 0 0 (220,463)  Total revenues $ 2,741,372 $ 512,310 $ 330,125 $ 8,860 $ 3,592,667   1 The geographic markets are defined by states/countries as follows:  East market — Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington D.C. Gulf Coast market — Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mexico, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and the Bahamas West market — Arizona, California and New Mexico  PRODUCT AND SERVICE REVENUES Revenue is recognized when obligations under the terms of a contract with our customer are satisfied; generally this occurs at a point in time when our aggregates, asphalt mix and ready-mixed concrete are shipped/delivered and control passes to the customer. Revenue for our products and services is recorded at the fixed invoice amount and is due by the 15 th day of the following month — we do not offer discounts for early payment. Freight & delivery generally represents pass-through transportation we incur (including our administrative costs) and pay to third-party carriers to deliver our products to customers and are accounted for as a fulfillment activity. Likewise, the cost related to freight & delivery are included in cost of revenues. Freight & delivery revenues are as follows:    in thousands 2018 2017 2016  Freight & Delivery Revenues  Total revenues $ 4,382,869 $ 3,890,296 $ 3,592,667  Freight & delivery revenues 1 (641,815) (528,916) (535,929)  Total revenues excluding freight & delivery $ 3,741,054 $ 3,361,380 $ 3,056,738   1 Includes freight & delivery to remote distribution sites. CONSTRUCTION PAVING REVENUES Revenue from our asphalt construction paving business is recognized over time using the percentage-of-completion method under the cost approach. The percentage of completion is determined by costs incurred to date as a percentage of total costs estimated for the project. Under this approach, recognized contract revenue equals the total estimated contract revenue multiplied by the percentage of completion. Our construction contracts are unit priced and an account receivable is recorded for amounts invoiced based on actual units produced. Contract assets for estimated earnings in excess of billings, contract assets related to retainage provisions and contract liabilities for billings in excess of costs are immaterial. Variable consideration in our construction paving contracts is immaterial and consists of incentives and penalties based on the quality of work performed. Our construction paving contracts may contain warranty provisions covering defects in equipment, materials, design or workmanship that generally run from nine months to one year after project completion. Due to the nature of our construction paving projects, including contract owner inspections of the work during construction and prior to acceptance, we have not experienced material warranty costs for these short-term warranties. VOLUMETRIC PRODUCTION PAYMENT REVENUES In 2013 and 2012, we sold a percentage interest in certain future aggregates production for net cash proceeds of $226,926,000. These transactions, structured as volumetric production payments (VPPs): § relate to eight quarries in Georgia and South Carolina § provide the purchaser solely with a nonoperating percentage interest in the subject quarries’ future aggregates production § contain no minimum annual or cumulative guarantees by us for production or sales volume, nor minimum sales price § are both volume and time limited (we expect the transactions will last approximately 25 years, limited by volume rather than time) We are the exclusive sales agent for, and transmit quarterly to the purchaser the proceeds from the sale of, the purchaser’s share of future aggregates production. Our consolidated total revenues exclude the revenue from the sale of the purchaser’s share of aggregates. The proceeds we received from the sale of the percentage interest were recorded as deferred revenue on the balance sheet. We recognize revenue on a unit-of-sales basis (as we sell the purchaser’s share of future production) relative to the volume limitations of the transactions. Given the nature of the risks and potential rewards assumed by the buyer, the transactions do not reflect financing activities. Reconciliation of the VPP deferred revenue balances (current and noncurrent) is as follows:    in thousands 2018 2017 2016  Deferred Revenue  Balance at beginning of year $ 199,556 $ 206,468 $ 214,060  Revenue recognized from deferred revenue (6,773) (6,912) (7,592)  Balance at end of year $ 192,783 $ 199,556 $ 206,468  Based on expected sales from the specified quarries, we expect to recognize $7,500,000 of VPP deferred revenue as income in 2019 (reflected in other current liabilities in our December 31, 2018 Consolidated Balance Sheet).

INVENTORIES

INVENTORIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
INVENTORIES [Abstract]
INVENTORIES	NOTE 3: INVENTORIES Inventories at December 31 are as follows:     in thousands 2018 2017  Inventories  Finished products 1 $ 372,604 $ 327,711  Raw materials 27,942 27,152  Products in process 3,064 1,827  Operating supplies and other 25,720 27,648  Total $ 429,330 $ 384,338    1 Includes inventories encumbered b y vo lumetric production payment s (see Note 2 ), as follows: December 31, 2018 — $ 3,230 thousand and December 31, 2017 — $2,808 thousand.  In addition to the inventory balances presented above, as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we have $9,980,000 and $11,810,000 , 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 $308,257,000 at December 31, 2018 and $252,808,000 at December 31, 2017. During 2018, 2017 and 2016, 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 2018 results was to increase cost of revenues by $132,000 and decrease net earnings by $99,000 . The effect of the LIFO liquidation on 2017 results was to decrease cost of revenues by $2,714,000 and increase net earnings by $1,662,000 . The effect of the LIFO liquidation on 2016 results was to decrease cost of revenues by $3,956,000 and increase net earnings by $2,419,000 . Estimated current cost exceeded LIFO cost at December 31, 2018 and 2017 by $175,844,000 and $168,829,000 , respectively. We use the LIFO method of valuation for most of our inventories as it results in a better matching of costs with revenues. In periods of increasing costs, LIFO generally results in higher cost of revenues than under FIFO. In periods of decreasing costs, the results are generally the opposite. We provide supplemental income disclosures to facilitate comparisons with companies not on LIFO. The supplemental income calculation is derived by tax-affecting the change in the LIFO reserve for the periods presented. If all inventories valued at LIFO cost had been valued under first-in, first-out (FIFO) method, the approximate effect on net earnings would have been an increase of $5,223,000 in 2018, an increase of $8,092,000 in 2017 and a de crease of $(8,338,000) in 2016.

PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT

PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
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 2018 2017  Property, Plant & Equipment  Land and land improvements 1 $ 2,823,092 $ 2,742,285  Buildings 139,948 135,655  Machinery and equipment 5,106,918 4,740,212  Leasehold improvements 18,217 17,354  Deferred asset retirement costs 183,324 172,631  Construction in progress 186,120 161,175  Total, gross $ 8,457,619 $ 7,969,312  Less allowances for depreciation, depletion  and amortization 4,220,312 4,050,381  Total, net $ 4,237,307 $ 3,918,931   1 Includes depletable land, as follows: December 31, 2018 — $ 1,626,899 thousand and December 31, 2017 — $1,606,303 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 2018 2017 2016  Capitalized interest cost $ 3,674 $ 5,177 $ 7,468  Total interest cost incurred before recognition  of the capitalized amount 141,651 300,699 141,544

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
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. In 2007 and 2018, we entered into interest rate locks of future debt issuances to hedge the risk of higher interest rates. These interest rate locks were designated as cash flow hedges. The gain/loss upon settlement of these interest rate hedges is deferred (recorded in AOCI) and 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 2018 2017 2016  Interest Rate Hedges  Loss reclassified from AOCI  (effective portion) Interest expense $ (306) $ (3,070) $ (2,008)   The 2017 loss reclassified from AOCI includes the acceleration of deferred losses in the amount of $1,405,000 referable to the debt purchase as described in Note 6. For the 12-month period ending December 31, 2019, we estimate that $308,000 of the $11,180,000 pretax loss in AOCI will be reclassified to interest expense.

DEBT

DEBT	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
DEBT [Abstract]
DEBT	NOTE 6: DEBT Debt at December 31 is detailed as follows:    Effective  in thousands Interest Rates 2018 2017  Short-term Debt  Bank line of credit expires 2021 1, 2 1.25% $ 133,000 $ 0  Total short-term debt $ 133,000 $ 0  Long-term Debt  Bank line of credit expires 2021 1 $ 0 $ 250,000  Term loan due 2018 3 0 350,000  Floating-rate notes due 2020 3.50% 250,000 250,000  Floating-rate notes due 2021 3.71% 500,000 0  7.50% notes due 2021 0 35,111  8.85% notes due 2021 8.88% 6,000 6,000  Term loan due 2021 0 250,000  4.50% notes due 2025 4.65% 400,000 400,000  3.90% notes due 2027 4.00% 400,000 400,000  7.15% notes due 2037 8.05% 129,239 240,188  4.50% notes due 2047 4.59% 700,000 700,000  4.70% notes due 2048 5.42% 460,949 0  Other notes 6.46% 208 230  Total long-term debt - face value $ 2,846,396 $ 2,881,529  Unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs (67,016) (26,664)  Total long-term debt - book value $ 2,779,380 $ 2,854,865  Less current maturities 23 41,383  Total long-term debt - reported value $ 2,779,357 $ 2,813,482  Estimated fair value of long-term debt $ 2,695,802 $ 2,983,419     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 if we have the intent and ability to extend payment beyond twelve months. 2 The effective interest rate reflects the margin above LIBOR for LIBOR-based borrowings. We also paid upfront fees that are amortized to interest expense and pay fees for unused borrowing capacity and standby letters of credit. 3 This short-term loan was refinanced on a long-term basis in February 2018 as discussed below. Thus, it was classified as long-term debt as of December 31, 2017.  Discounts and debt issuance costs are amortized using the effective interest method over the terms of the respective notes resulting in $5,161,000 and $9,808,000 , respectively, of net interest expense for these items for 2018 and 2017. LINE OF CREDIT Our unsecured $750,000,000 line of credit matures December 2021 and 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, 2018, 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 ratings. Standby 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 ratings. As of December 31, 2018, 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, 2018, our available borrowing capacity was $572,021,000 . Utilization of the borrowing capacity was as follows: § $133,000,000 was borrowed § $44,979,000 was used to provide support for outstanding standby letters of credit TERM DEBT All of our $2,846,396,000 (face value) of term debt is unsecured. $2,846,188,000 of such debt is governed by three essentially identical indentures that contain customary investment-grade type covenants. The primary covenant in all three indentures limits the amount of secured debt we may incur without ratably securing such debt. As of December 31, 2018, we were in compliance with all term debt covenants. In December 2018, we completed an exchange offer in which all of the $460,949,000 of 4.70% senior unregistered notes due 2048 (issued in February 2018 and March 2018 as described below) were exchanged for new registered notes of like principal amount and like denomination as the unregistered notes, with substantially identical terms. We did not receive any proceeds from the issuance of the new notes. In March 2018, we early retired via exchange offer $110,949,000 of the $240,188,000 7.15% senior notes due 2037 for: (1) a like amount of notes due 2048 (these notes are a further issuance of, and form a single series with, the $350,000,000 of 4.70 % senior notes due 2048 issued in February 2018 as described below, and (2) $38,164,000 of cash. The cash payment primarily reflects the trading price of the retired notes relative to par and will be amortized to interest expense over the term of the notes due 2048. We recognized transaction costs of $1,314,000 with this early retirement. In February 2018, we issued $350,000,000 of 4.70% senior notes due 2048 (these notes now total $460,949,000 including the notes issued in March as described above) and $500,000,000 of floating-rate senior notes due 2021. Total proceeds of $846,029,000 (net of discounts, transaction costs and an interest rate derivative settlement gain), together with cash on hand, were used to retire/repay without penalty or premium: (1) the $350,000,000 term loan due 2018, (2) the $250,000,000 term loan due 2021, and (3) the $250,000,000 bank line of credit borrowings. We recognized noncash expense of $203,000 with the acceleration of unamortized deferred transaction costs. In January 2018, we early retired via redemption the remaining $35,111,000 of the 7.50% senior notes due 2021 at a cost of $40,719,000 including a premium of $5,608,000 . Additionally, we recognized noncash expense of $263,000 with the acceleration of unamortized deferred transaction costs. As a result of the first quarter 2018 early debt retirements described above, we recognized premiums of $5,608,000 , transaction costs of $1,314,000 and noncash expense (acceleration of unamortized deferred transaction costs) of $466,000 . The combined charge of $7,388,000 was a component of interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2018. In December 2017, we early retired via tender offer $564,889,000 of the $600,000,000 7.50% senior notes due 2021 at a cost of $662,613,000 including a premium of $96,167,000 and transaction costs of $1,558,000 . Additionally, we recognized noncash expense of $4,228,000 with the acceleration of unamortized deferred transaction costs. Also in December 2017, we entered into a 6 -month $350,000,000 unsecured term loan with one of the banks that provides our line of credit. Proceeds were used for general corporate purposes. This term loan was prepaid, as described above, in February 2018 with the proceeds of the 4.70% senior notes due 2048. In July 2017, we early retired via redemption: (1) the $272,512,000 7.00% senior notes due 2018 and (2) the $250,000,000 10.375% senior notes due 2018 (neither of which now appear in the table above) — at a combined cost of $565,560,000 including a premium of $43,020,000 and transaction costs of $28,000 . Additionally , we recognized noncash expense of $3,029,000 with the acceleration of unamortized deferred discounts, transaction costs and interest rate derivative settlement losses. Such redemptions were partially funded with the proceeds of the senior notes issued in June 2017 as described below. In June 2017, we issued $1,000,000,000 of debt composed of three issuances as follows: (1) $700,000,000 of 4.50% senior notes due 2047, (2) $50,000,000 of 3.90% senior notes due 2027 (these notes are a further issuance of, and form a single series with, the 3.90% notes issued in March 2017), and (3) $250,000,000 of floating-rate senior notes due 2020. Total proceeds of $989,512,000 (net of discounts/premiums and transaction costs) were used to partially finance an acquisition and to early retire the notes due in 2018 as described above. In June 2017, we drew the full $250,000,000 on the unsecured delayed draw term loan due 2021. These funds were used to repay the $235,000,000 line of credit borrowings and for general corporate purposes. This term loan was repaid, as described above, in February 2018 with proceeds of the floating-rate senior notes due 2021. In March 2017, we issued $350,000,000 of 3.90% senior notes due 2027. Proceeds of $345,450,000 (net of discounts and transaction costs) were used for general corporate purposes. This series of notes now totals $400,000,000 including the additional $50,000,000 issued in June as described above. As a result of the 2017 early debt retirements described above, we recognized premiums of $139,187,000 , transaction costs of $1,586,000 and noncash expense (acceleration of unamortized deferred transaction costs) of $7,257,000 . The combined charge of $148,030,000 was a component of interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2017. The total scheduled (principal and interest) debt payments, excluding the line of credit, for the five years subsequent to December 31, 2018 are as follows:     in thousands Total Principal Interest  Scheduled Debt Payments (excluding the line of credit)  2019 $ 121,629 $ 23 $ 121,606  2020 366,366 250,025 116,341  2021 606,312 506,026 100,286  2022 96,041 28 96,013  2023 96,041 30 96,011 STANDBY LETTERS OF CREDIT We provide, in the normal course of business, certain third-party beneficiaries with 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 canceled 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, 2018 are summarized by purpose in the table below:     in thousands  Standby Letters of Credit  Risk management insurance $ 38,111  Reclamation/restoration requirements 6,868  Total $ 44,979

OPERATING LEASES

OPERATING LEASES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
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 2018 2017 2016  Operating Leases  Minimum rentals $ 76,443 $ 59,536 $ 52,713  Contingent rentals (based principally on usage) 54,572 50,822 57,278  Total $ 131,015 $ 110,358 $ 109,991  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, 2018 are payable as follows:     in thousands  Future Minimum Operating Lease Payments  2019 $ 47,979  2020 43,540  2021 35,732  2022 27,463  2023 19,707  Thereafter 195,104  Total $ 369,525  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, 2018
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 2018 2017  Accrued Environmental Remediation Costs  Continuing operations $ 39,745 $ 21,784  Retained from former Chemicals business 10,685 10,704  Total $ 50,430 $ 32,488  The long-term portion of the accruals noted above is included in other noncurrent liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets and amounted to $13,597,000 at December 31, 2018 and $12,760,000 at December 31, 2017. 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 current increase primarily relates to the Hewitt Landfill Matter, a former CalMat facility. 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 contingent environmental matters.

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
INCOME TAXES [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	NOTE 9: INCOME TAXES The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) was enacted in December 2017. The TCJA, among other changes, (1) reduces the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% , (2) allows for the immediate 100% deductibility of certain capital investments, (3) eliminates the alternative minimum tax (though allows for the future use of previously generated alternative minimum tax credits), (4) repeals the domestic production deduction, (5) requires a one-time “transition tax” on earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries that were previously tax deferred, (6) limits the deductibility of interest expense, (7) further limits the deductibility of certain executive compensation and (8) taxes global intangible low taxed income. The SEC’s Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) 118 provided a one-year measurement period from the TCJA enactment date for companies to complete their income tax accounting. During 2017, we recorded provisional estimates for the following two elements. During 2018 we recorded measurement-period adjustments to finalize these elements as follows: § DEEMED REPATRIATION TRANSITION TAX — The TCJA subjected companies to a one-time Deemed Repatriation Transition Tax (Transition Tax) on previously untaxed foreign accumulated earnings. We recorded a provisional Transition Tax obligation of $12,301,000 at December 31, 2017. In the fourth quarter of 2018, we completed our accounting for this element, which resulted in an insignificant amount of additional income tax expense. § DEDUCTIBILITY OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION — The TCJA eliminated the performance-based compensation exception from the limitation on covered employee remuneration. As a result, we believe that a portion of the performance-based remuneration accounted for in our deferred taxes will no longer be deductible. As such, we included a provisional expense of $1,403,000 at December 31, 2017. In the fourth quarter of 2018, we completed our accounting for this element which resulted in an insignificant amount of additional income tax expense. Our accounting for the following two elements of the TCJA were recognized solely in 2018 as we were unable to make reasonable estimates of the effects during 2017. § OUTSIDE BASIS DIFFERENCE IN FOREIGN SUBSIDIARIES — We have previously considered the outside basis difference in our foreign subsidiaries to be indefinitely reinvested (the vast majority of which related to the undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries). For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Transition Tax (mentioned above) greatly reduced the outside basis difference in our foreign subsidiaries. After passage of the TCJA, if we choose to repatriate any previously taxed or undistributed foreign earnings, we have determined that the deferred tax impacts would be: (1) no U.S. federal income tax, (2) no foreign withholding tax, and (3) an insignificant amount of state income tax. As a result, we have chosen to remove our indefinite reinvestment assertion on the earnings of our foreign subsidiaries. We continue to assert indefinite reinvestment on any outside basis differences in excess of our previously taxed and undistributed foreign subsidiary earnings that may be subject to tax in the future. § GLOBAL INTANGIBLE LOW TAXED INCOME — We do not expect to have significant U.S. inclusions in taxable income related to global intangible low taxed income (GILTI). As such, we have made an accounting policy election to treat taxes due on the future U.S. inclusions in taxable income related to GILTI as a current period expense when incurred (period cost method) versus factoring such amounts into our measurement of deferred taxes (deferred method). During the fourth quarter of 2018, we adopted ASU 2018-02, “Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income,” effective as of the beginning of the year. This ASU allowed us to reclassify $29,629,000 of stranded tax effects due to remeasuring certain deferred tax assets as a result of applying the TCJA enacted in December 2017 from accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) to retained earnings . The components of earnings from continuing operations before income taxes are as follows:     in thousands 2018 2017 2016  Earnings from Continuing Operations  before Income Taxes  Domestic $ 593,446 $ 346,668 $ 513,721  Foreign 29,844 14,648 33,536  Total $ 623,290 $ 361,316 $ 547,257  Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations consists of the following:     in thousands 2018 2017 2016  Income Tax Expense (Benefit) from  Continuing Operations  Current  Federal $ 21,111 $ (7,416) $ 72,506  State and local 15,127 4,661 14,774  Foreign 4,278 3,109 6,974  Total $ 40,516 $ 354 $ 94,254  Deferred  Federal $ 59,216 $ (202,184) $ 37,246  State and local 8,369 (30,052) (6,647)  Foreign (2,652) (193) (2)  Total $ 64,933 $ (232,429) $ 30,597  Total expense (benefit) $ 105,449 $ (232,075) $ 124,851  Income tax expense (benefit) 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 2018 2017 2016  Income tax expense at the federal  statutory tax rate $ 130,891 21.0% $ 126,461 35.0% $ 191,540 35.0%  Expense (Benefit) from  Income Tax Differences  Statutory depletion (21,733) -3.5% (28,995) -8.0% (32,230) -5.9%  State and local income taxes, net of federal  income tax benefit 18,562 3.0% 8,115 2.2% 10,074 1.9%  Share-based compensation (16,551) -2.7% (20,740) -5.7% (22,443) -4.1%  Uncertain tax positions (6,402) -1.0% 1,062 0.3% 1,272 0.2%  Revaluation - deferred tax balances 0 0.0% (301,567) -83.5% 0 0.0%  AL NOL valuation allowance release 0 0.0% (28,827) -8.0% (4,791) -0.9%  U.S. production deduction 0 0.0% 2,452 0.7% (8,790) -1.6%  Transition tax 595 0.1% 12,301 3.4% 0 0.0%  Foreign tax credit carryforward 0 0.0% 0 0.0% (6,513) -1.2%  Other, net 87 0.0% (2,337) -0.6% (3,268) -0.6%  Total income tax expense (benefit)/  Effective tax rate $ 105,449 16.9% $ (232,075) -64.2% $ 124,851 22.8%  D eferr 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 2018 2017  Deferred Tax Assets Related to  Employee benefits $ 24,407 $ 29,547  Incentive compensation 62,829 59,010  Asset retirement obligations & other reserves 55,822 47,116  State net operating losses 68,436 73,083  Federal credit carryforwards 0 51,284  Other 31,294 37,518  Total gross deferred tax assets $ 242,788 $ 297,558  Valuation allowance (29,680) (29,723)  Total net deferred tax asset $ 213,108 $ 267,835  Deferred Tax Liabilities Related to  Property, plant & equipment $ 510,604 $ 490,459  Goodwill/other intangible assets 233,471 216,039  Other 36,316 25,418  Total deferred tax liabilities $ 780,391 $ 731,916  Net deferred tax liability $ 567,283 $ 464,081  Each 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. At December 31, 2018, we have Alabama state net operating loss (NOL) carryforward deferred tax assets of $65,577,000 , against which we have a valuation allowance of $29,183,000 . At this time, we do not expect any future adjustment to this valuation allowance. The Alabama NOL carryforward, if not utilized, would expire between 2023 and 2032 . Changes in our liability for unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31 are as follows:     in thousands 2018 2017 2016  Unrecognized tax benefits as of January 1 $ 11,643 $ 10,828 $ 8,447  Increases for tax positions related to  Prior years 0 27 1,368  Current year 698 1,039 1,040  Decreases for tax positions related to  Prior years (655) (204) 0  Settlements with taxing authorities 0 0 0  Expiration of applicable statute of limitations (8,025) (47) (27)  Unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31 $ 3,661 $ 11,643 $ 10,828  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 $(1,477,000) in 2018, $420,000 in 2017 and $266,000 in 2016. The balance of accrued interest and penalties included in our liability for unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31 was $312,000 in 2018, $1,789,000 in 2017 and $1,369,000 in 2016. Our liability for unrecognized tax benefits at December 31 in the table above include $3,481,000 in 2018, $10,673,000 in 2017 and $9,884,000 in 2016 that would affect the effective tax rate if recognized. We anticipate no single tax position generating a significant increase in our liability for unrecognized tax benefits within 12 months of this reporting date. As of December 31, 2018, income tax receivables of $922,000 are included in other accounts and notes receivable in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet. There were similar receivables of $106,980,000 ( $106,000,000 related to 2017 federal estimated payments which were refunded early 2018) as of December 31, 2017.

BENEFIT PLANS

BENEFIT PLANS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
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 $71,435,000 and $82,136,000 related to these unfunded, nonqualified pension plans for 2018 and 2017, respectively. Effective July 2007, we amended our defined benefit pension plans to no longer accept new participants. Future benefit accruals for participants in our salaried defined benefit pension plan ceased on December 31, 2013, while salaried participants’ earnings considered for benefit calculations were frozen on December 31, 2015. 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 2018 2017  Change in Benefit Obligation  Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 1,091,223 $ 1,006,674  Service cost 5,716 6,715  Interest cost 35,503 36,230  Plan amendment 1 0 10,869  Actuarial (gain) loss (118,827) 81,969  Benefits paid (54,679) (51,234)  Projected benefit obligation at end of year $ 958,936 $ 1,091,223  Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets  Fair value of assets at beginning of year $ 840,901 $ 749,515  Actual return on plan assets (59,083) 122,597  Employer contribution 109,631 20,023  Benefits paid (54,679) (51,234)  Fair value of assets at end of year $ 836,770 $ 840,901  Funded status (122,166) (250,322)  Net amount recognized $ (122,166) $ (250,322)  Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated  Balance Sheets  Noncurrent assets $ 6,488 $ 4,605  Current liabilities (9,067) (9,478)  Noncurrent liabilities (119,587) (245,449)  Net amount recognized $ (122,166) $ (250,322)  Amounts Recognized in Accumulated  Other Comprehensive Income  Net actuarial loss $ 240,199 $ 250,581  Prior service cost 7,828 9,167  Total amount recognized $ 248,027 $ 259,748   1 Effective January 2017, we amended the Construction Materials Hourly Plan to increase the multiplier for years of service.  The accumulated benefit obligation (ABO) and the projected benefit obligation (PBO) exceeded plan assets for all of our defined benefit plans at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, except for one where the plan assets exceeded the ABO by $6,525,000 and $5,346,000 , respectively. The ABO for all of our defined benefit pension plans totaled $958,899,000 (unfunded, nonqualified plans of $71,435,000) at December 31, 2018 and $1,090,482,000 (unfunded, nonqualified plans of $82,136,000 ) at December 31, 2017. 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 2018 2017 2016  Components of Net Periodic Pension  Benefit Cost  Service cost $ 5,716 $ 6,715 $ 5,343  Interest cost 35,503 36,230 36,505  Expected return on plan assets (59,188) (48,506) (51,562)  Amortization of prior service cost (credit) 1,340 1,340 (43)  Amortization of actuarial loss 9,826 7,397 6,163  Net periodic pension benefit cost (credit) $ (6,803) $ 3,176 $ (3,594)  Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit  Obligations Recognized in Other  Comprehensive Income  Net actuarial loss (gain) $ (555) $ 7,879 $ 33,682  Prior service cost 0 10,868 0  Reclassification of prior service (cost) credit (1,340) (1,340) 43  Reclassification of actuarial loss (9,826) (7,397) (6,163)  Amount recognized in other comprehensive  income $ (11,721) $ 10,010 $ 27,562  Amount recognized in net periodic pension  benefit cost and other comprehensive  income $ (18,524) $ 13,186 $ 23,968  Assumptions  Weighted-average assumptions used to  determine net periodic benefit cost for  years ended December 31  Discount rate — PBO 3.72% 4.29% 4.55%  Discount rate — service cost 3.90% 4.63% 4.68%  Discount rate — interest cost 3.35% 3.63% 3.79%  Expected return on plan assets 7.00% 7.00% 7.50%  Weighted-average assumptions used to  determine benefit obligation at  December 31  Discount rate 4.39% 3.72% 4.29%  The estimated net actuarial loss and prior service cost that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic pension benefit cost (credit) during 2019 are $4,933,000 and $1,339,000, respectively. Plan assets are invested according to an investment policy that allocates investments in return seeking assets and liability hedging assets based on the plans’ funded ratio (fair value of assets/PBO). Return seeking assets include public and private equity securities, public and private debt securities, and commodities. Liability hedging assets include money market securities, inflation linked debt securities, public corporate debt securities, and government debt securities. At each measurement date, we estimate the net asset values and fair values of our pension assets using various valuation techniques. For certain investments, we use the net asset value as a practical expedient to estimating fair value. 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. 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 The fair values and net asset values of our pension plan assets at December 31, 2018 and 2017 are in the tables below. The assets in the common/collective trusts and in the private partnerships consist of both return seeking and liability hedging investments. At December 31, 2018, the total pension asset allocation was approximately 70% return seeking and 30% liability hedging, compared to the December 31, 2017 allocation of approximately 80% return seeking and 20% liability hedging. Based on the funded ratio at December 31, 2018, we are in process of shifting the asset allocation to approximately 55% return seeking and 45% liability hedging. Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2018     in thousands Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total  Asset Category  Debt funds $ 0 $ 168,953 $ 0 $ 168,953  Commodity funds 0 14,697 0 14,697  Equity funds 246 135,656 0 135,902  Investments in the fair value hierarchy $ 246 $ 319,306 $ 0 $ 319,552  Interest in common/collective trusts (at NAV) 462,566  Private partnerships (at NAV) 54,652  Total pension plan assets $ 836,770 Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2017     in thousands Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total  Asset Category  Debt funds $ 0 $ 178,512 $ 0 $ 178,512  Commodity funds 0 17,041 0 17,041  Equity funds 1,089 143,010 0 144,099  Investments in the fair value hierarchy $ 1,089 $ 338,563 $ 0 $ 339,652  Interest in common/collective trusts (at NAV) 416,397  Private partnerships (at NAV) 84,852  Total pension plan assets $ 840,901  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, 2018 and 2017. The debt funds category consists of U.S. federal, state and local government debt securities, corporate debt securities, foreign government debt securities, 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. The commodity funds category consists of a single open-end commodity mutual fund. The equity funds category consists of a 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 used 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 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 private partnerships category consists of various venture capital funds, mezzanine debt funds and leveraged buyout funds. 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  2016 $ 9,576  2017 20,023  2018 109,631  2019 (estimated) 9,067  For our qualified pension plans, we made discretionary contributions of $100,000,000 and $10,600,000 during 2018 and 2017, respectively, and made no contributions during 2016. We do not anticipate making contributions to our qualified pension plans in 2019. For our nonqualified pension plans, we contributed $9,631,000 , $9,423,000 and $9,576,000 during 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and expect to contribute $9,067,000 during 2019. The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid:     in thousands Pension  Estimated Future Benefit Payments  2019 $ 56,493  2020 57,191  2021 58,317  2022 59,705  2023 60,871  2024-2028 301,996  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, 2018, 2017 and 2016. Total contributions to multiemployer pension plans were $10,081,000 in 2018, $9,253,000 in 2017 and $10,435,000 in 2016. As of December 31, 2018, a total of 8.5% of our domestic hourly labor force was covered by collective-bargaining agreements. Of such employees covered by collective-bargaining agreements, 7.5% were covered by agreements that expire in 2019. We also employed 332 union employees in Mexico who are covered by a collective-bargaining agreement that will expire in 2019. 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, 2018 and 2017. The accrued costs for the supplemental retirement plan were $1,122,000 at December 31, 2018 and $1,252,000 at December 31, 2017. 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 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 2018 2017  Change in Benefit Obligation  Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 43,480 $ 45,546  Service cost 1,357 1,167  Interest cost 1,240 1,260  Actuarial loss 856 378  Benefits paid (6,099) (4,871)  Projected benefit obligation at end of year $ 40,834 $ 43,480  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 $ (40,834) $ (43,480)  Net amount recognized $ (40,834) $ (43,480)  Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated  Balance Sheets  Current liabilities $ (5,560) $ (5,624)  Noncurrent liabilities (35,274) (37,856)  Net amount recognized $ (40,834) $ (43,480)  Amounts Recognized in Accumulated  Other Comprehensive Income  Net actuarial gain $ (18,624) $ (20,757)  Prior service credit (11,494) (15,456)  Total amount recognized $ (30,118) $ (36,213)   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 2018 2017 2016  Components of Net Periodic Postretirement  Benefit Cost  Service cost $ 1,358 $ 1,167 $ 1,123  Interest cost 1,240 1,260 1,209  Amortization of prior service credit (3,962) (4,236) (4,236)  Amortization of actuarial gain (1,298) (1,587) (1,751)  Net periodic postretirement benefit cost (credit) $ (2,662) $ (3,396) $ (3,655)  Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit  Obligations Recognized in Other  Comprehensive Income  Net actuarial loss (gain) $ 835 $ 342 $ (111)  Reclassification of prior service credit 3,962 4,236 4,236  Reclassification of actuarial gain 1,298 1,587 1,751  Amount recognized in other comprehensive  income $ 6,095 $ 6,165 $ 5,876  Amount recognized in net periodic  postretirement benefit cost and other  comprehensive income $ 3,433 $ 2,769 $ 2,221  Assumptions  Weighted-average assumptions used to  determine net periodic benefit cost for  years ended December 31  Discount rate — PBO 3.34% 3.59% 3.69%  Discount rate — service cost 3.56% 3.96% 3.77%  Discount rate — interest cost 2.90% 2.89% 2.81%  Weighted-average assumptions used to  determine benefit obligation at  December 31  Discount rate 4.01% 3.33% 3.58%  The estimated net actuarial gain and prior service credit that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic postretirement benefit cost (credit) during 2019 are $(1,344,000) and $(3,919,000) , respectively. Total employer contributions to the postretirement plans are presented below:     in thousands Postretirement  Employer Contributions  2016 $ 5,280  2017 4,871  2018 6,099  2019 (estimated) 5,561  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  2019 $ 5,561  2020 5,381  2021 5,077  2022 4,733  2023 4,523  2024–2028 17,168  Contributions by participants to the postretirement benefit plans for the years ended December 31 are as follows:     in thousands Postretirement  Participants Contributions  2016 $ 2,085  2017 2,025  2018 1,984  PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS ASSUMPTIONS Each year, we review our assumptions for discount rates (used for PBO, service cost, and interest cost calculations) and the expected return on plan assets. Due to plan changes made in 2012 and 2013, annual pay increases and the per capita cost of healthcare benefits do not materially impact plan obligations. We use a high-quality bond full yield curve approach (specific spot rates for each annual expected cash flow) to establish the discount rates at each measurement date. At December 31, 2018, the discount rates used were as follows: § PBO for various plans – ranged from 3.92% to 4.47% (December 31, 2017 ranged from 3.24% to 3.79% ) § Service cost – weighted average of 3.90% and 3.56% , respectively, for our pension plans and our other postretirement plans (2017 figures were 4.63% and 3.96% , respectively ) § Interest cost – weighted average of 3.35% and 2.90% , respectively, for our pension plans and our other postretirement plans (2017 figures were 3.63% and 2.89% , respectively ) 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 measure plan benefit costs was 7.0% in 2018 and 2017. For 2019, we decreased the expected return on plan assets to 5.75% . 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 $40,718,000 in 2018, $44,562,000 in 2017 and $45,295,000 in 2016.

INCENTIVE PLANS

INCENTIVE PLANS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
INCENTIVE PLANS [Abstract]
INCENTIVE PLANS	NOTE 11: INCENTIVE PLANS SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS Our 2016 Omnibus Long-term Incentive Plan (Plan) authorizes the granting of performance shares, restricted shares, 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 third (2018 and 2017 awards) or fourth (all other outstanding awards) 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 $13,656,000 in 2018, $16,272,000 in 2017 and $12,074,000 in 2016. 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, 2018:     Target Weighted-average  Number Grant Date  of Shares Fair Value  Performance Shares  Nonvested at January 1, 2018 498,979 $ 89.16  Granted 130,715 117.20  Vested (218,725) 74.85  Canceled/forfeited (60,291) 103.56  Nonvested at December 31, 2018 350,678 $ 106.06  During 2017 and 2016, the weighted-average grant date fair value of performance shares granted was $117.49 and $87.77 , 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 2018 2017 2016  Aggregate value of distributed  performance shares $ 53,721 $ 52,368 $ 60,443  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 third (2018 and 2017 awards) or fourth (all other outstanding awards) 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 $4,831,000 in 2018, $4,371,000 in 2017 and $3,004,000 in 2016. 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, 2018:    Weighted-average  Number Grant Date  of Shares Fair Value  Restricted Stock Units  Nonvested at January 1, 2018 109,302 $ 97.43  Granted 52,065 117.20  Vested (11,622) 100.35  Canceled/forfeited (4,366) 110.73  Nonvested at December 31, 2018 145,379 $ 103.88  During 2017 and 2016, the weighted-average grant date fair value of restricted shares granted was $117.49 and $87.77 , respectively. The aggregate values for distributed restricted share awards are based on the closing price of our common stock as of the distribution date. The aggregate values of distributed restricted shares for the years ended December 31 are as follows:    in thousands 2018 2017 2016  Aggregate value of distributed  restricted shares $ 1,345 $ 7,685 $ 0  STOCK - ONLY STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS (SOSARs) — 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 3 years (2018 and 2017 awards) or 4 years (all other awards) 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 for SOSARs is based on this grant date 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:    2018 2017 2016  SOSARs  Fair value $ 43.72 $ 43.01 $ 29.20  Risk-free interest rate 2.90% 2.36% 1.66%  Dividend yield 1.39% 1.27% 1.39%  Volatility 31.49% 31.35% 30.42%  Expected term 9.00 years 9.00 years 9.00 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, 2018 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  Outstanding at January 1, 2018 2,242,487 $ 52.95  Granted 82,800 121.69  Exercised (583,539) 45.71  Forfeited or expired (165) 79.41  Outstanding at December 31, 2018 1,741,583 $ 58.64 3.70 $ 72,276  Exercisable at December 31, 2018 1,518,900 $ 51.39 3.08 $ 71,284  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 2018 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money SOSARs) that would have been received by the option holders had all SOSARs been exercised on December 31, 2018. These values change based on the fair market value of our common stock. The aggregate intrinsic values of SOSARs exercised for the years ended December 31 are as follows:     in thousands 2018 2017 2016  Aggregate intrinsic value of SOSARs exercised $ 49,248 $ 13,758 $ 27,705  The following table presents cash and stock consideration received and tax benefit realized from SOSAR exercises and compensation cost recorded referable to SOSARs for the years ended December 31:     in thousands 2018 2017 2016  SOSARs  Cash and stock consideration received  from exercises $ 0 $ 0 $ 0  Tax benefit from exercises 19,083 5,331 10,767  Compensation cost 4,763 3,723 2,744  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 immediately upon issuance (except for the 2015 grant which vested over three years) and accumulate dividends over the vesting period. Expense provisions referable to nonemployee director deferred stock units amounted to $1,965,000 in 2018, $2,260,000 in 2017 and $2,848,000 in 2016. CASH-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS We have incentive plans under which cash awards may be made annually. Expense provisions under these plans referable to awards to officers and certain employees amounted to $36,969,000 in 2018, $35,280,000 in 2017 and $46,758,000 in 2016. Additionally, expense provision referable to a 2017 one-time bonus for non-incentive eligible employees amounted to $6,716,000 .

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
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, 2018. These include commitments for the purchase of property, plant & equipment of $35,248,000 and commitments for noncapital purchases of $36,722,000 . These commitments are due as follows:     Unconditional  Purchase  in thousands Obligations  Property, Plant & Equipment  2019 $ 35,248  Thereafter 0  Total $ 35,248  Noncapital (primarily transportation and electricity contracts)  2019 $ 11,912  2020–2021 9,120  2022–2023 3,690  Thereafter 12,000  Total $ 36,722  Expenditures under noncapital purchase commitments totaled $56,674,000 in 2018, $40,526,000 in 2017 and $60,591,000 in 2016. We have commitments in the form of minimum royalties under mineral leases as of December 31, 2018 in the amount of $240,575,000 , due as follows:     Mineral  in thousands Leases  Minimum Royalties  2019 $ 23,211  2020–2021 36,630  2022–2023 26,014  Thereafter 154,720  Total $ 240,575  Expenditures for royalties under mineral leases totaled $76,761,000 in 2018, $67,933,000 in 2017 and $62,978,000 in 2016. 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 2. 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 $44,979,000 as of December 31, 2018. As described in Note 9, our liability for unrecognized tax benefits is $3,661,000 as of December 31, 2018. As described in Note 17, our asset retirement obligations totaled $225,726,000 as of December 31, 2018. 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. ■ L ower Passaic River Study Area (DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS) — 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, CPG) 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). The draft RI/FS was submitted recommending a targeted hot spot remedy; however, 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. In August 2017, the EPA informed certain members of the CPG, including Vulcan, that it planned to use the services of a third-party allocator with the expectation of offering cash-out settlements to some parties in connection with the bank-to-bank remedy. This voluntary allocation process is intended to establish an impartial third-party expert recommendation that may be considered by the government and the participants as the basis of possible settlements. We have begun participating in this voluntary allocation process, which is likely to take several years. In July 2018, Vulcan, along with more than one hundred other defendants, was sued by Occidental in United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Newark Vicinage. Occidental is seeking cost recovery and contribution under CERCLA. It is unknown at this time whether the filing of the Occidental lawsuit will impact the EPA allocation process. In October 2018, the EPA ordered the CPG to prepare a streamlined feasibility study specifically for the upper nine miles of the River. This directive is focused on dioxin. 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 and their respective allocations have not been determined. We do not 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. ■ T EXAS BRINE MATTER (DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS) — During the operation of its former Chemicals Division, Vulcan secured the right to mine salt out of an underground salt dome formation in Assumption Parish, Louisiana from 1976 - 2005. Throughout that period and for all times thereafter, the Texas Brine Company (Texas Brine) was the operator contracted by Vulcan (and later Occidental) to mine and deliver the salt. We sold our Chemicals Division in 2005 and transferred our rights and interest related to the salt and mining operations to the purchaser, a subsidiary of Occidental, and we have had no association with the leased premises or Texas Brine since that time. In August 2012, a sinkhole developed in the vicinity of the Texas Brine mining operations, and numerous lawsuits were filed in state court in Assumption Parish, Louisiana. Other lawsuits, including class action litigation, were also filed in federal court before the Eastern District of Louisiana in New Orleans. There are numerous defendants, including Texas Brine and Occidental, 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 were then added as a direct and third-party defendant by other parties, including a direct claim by the state of Louisiana. Damage categories encompassed within the litigation have included individual plaintiffs’ claims for property damage, a claim by the State of Louisiana for response costs and civil penalties, claims by Texas Brine for response costs and lost profits, claims for physical damages to nearby oil and gas pipelines and storage facilities (pipelines), and business interruption claims. In addition to the plaintiffs’ claims, we were also sued for contractual indemnity and comparative fault by both Texas Brine and Occidental. It was alleged that the sinkhole was caused, in whole or in part, by our negligent actions or failure to act. It was also alleged that we breached the salt lease with Occidental, as well as an operating agreement and related contracts with Texas Brine; that we were strictly liable for certain property damages in our capacity as a former lessee of the salt lease; and that we violated certain covenants and conditions in the agreement under which we sold our Chemicals Division to Occidental. We likewise made claims for contractual indemnity and on a basis of comparative fault against Texas Brine and Occidental. Vulcan and Occidental have since dismissed all of their claims against one another. Texas Brine has claims that remain pending against Vulcan and against Occidental . A bench trial (judge only) began in September 2017 and ended in October 2017 in the pipeline cases. The trial was limited in scope to the allocation of comparative fault or liability for causing the sinkhole, with a damages phase of the trial to be held at a later date. In December 2017, the judge issued a ruling on the allocation of fault among the three defendants as follows: Occidental 50% , Texas Brine 35% and Vulcan 15% . This ruling has been appealed by the parties. We have settled all but two outstanding cases and our insurers have funded these settlements in excess of our self-insured retention amount. The remaining cases involve Texas Brine and the State of Louisiana. Discovery remains ongoing and we cannot reasonably estimate a range of liability pertaining to these open cases at this time. ■ N EW YORK WATER DISTRICT CASES (DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS) — During the operation of our former Chemicals Division, which was divested to Occidental in 2005, Vulcan manufactured a chlorinated solvent known as 1,1,1-trichloroethane. We are a defendant in eleven cases allegedly involving 1,1,1-trichloroethane. All of the cases are filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. According to the various complaints, the plaintiffs are public drinking water providers who serve customers in Nassau County and Suffolk County, New York. It is alleged that our 1,1,1-trichloroethane was stabilized with 1,4-dioxane and that various water wells of the plaintiffs are contaminated with 1,4-dioxane. The cases, against us and other defendants, have been filed by the following plaintiffs: Albertson Water District, Carle Place Water District, Garden City Park Water District, Jericho Water District, Manhasset-Lakeview Water District, Oyster Bay Water District, Port Washington Water District, Roslyn Water District, Suffolk County Water Authority, Water Authority of Great Neck North, and the West Hempstead Water District (collectively, the Cases). The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. We will vigorously defend the Cases. At this time we cannot determine the likelihood or reasonably estimate a range of loss, if any, pertaining to the Cases. ■ H EWITT 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 us 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 2016, we submitted an interim remedial action plan (IRAP) to the RWQCB, proposing an on-site pilot test of a pump and treat system for groundwater; testing and implementation of a leachate recovery system; and storm water capture and conveyance improvements. Operation of the on-site pilot-scale treatment system began in January 2017 and was completed in April 2017. With completion of the pilot testing and other investigative work, we submitted an amendment to the IRAP (AIRAP) to RWQCB in August 2017 proposing the use of a pump, treat and reinjection system. In December 2017, we submitted an addendum to the AIRAP, incorporating new data acquired since the prior submission. In February 2018, the AIRAP was approved by RWQCB. As a result of this approval, we have begun to implement the on-site source control activities described in the AIRAP, including procurement of vendors to perform the work and additional bench scale testing of the treatment system, which indicated that additional pre and post treatment of the water would be required. Based on the proposals from contractors for construction, operation and maintenance of the facility, we accrued an additional $10,392,000 of other operating expense during the fourth quarter of 2018 , bringing the year-to-date and life-to-date total accruals for the on-site system to $19,032,000 and $34,271,000 , respectively. 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. The EPA and Vulcan entered into an AOC and Statement of Work having an effective date of September 2017 for the design of two extraction wells south of the Hewitt Site to protect the North Hollywood West (NHW) well field. In November 2017, we submitted a Pre-Design Investigation (PDI) Work Plan to the EPA, which sets forth the activities and schedule for our evaluation of the need for a two-well remedy. These activities were completed between the first and third quarters of 2018, and in December 2018 we submitted a PDI Evaluation Report to the EPA. The PDI Evaluation Report summarizes data collection activities conducted pursuant to the PDI Work Plan, and provides model updates and evaluation of remediation alternatives to protect the NHW and Rinaldi-Toluca well fields from 1,4-dioxane from the Hewitt Site. Vulcan has not yet received comments or feedback from the EPA or the Regional Board on the report. Until the EPA’s review of the PDI Evaluation Report is complete and an effective remedy can be agreed upon, we cannot identify an appropriate remedial action. Given the various stakeholders involved and the uncertainties relating to issues such as testing, monitoring, and remediation alternatives, we cannot reasonably estimate a loss pertaining to this matter. ■ N AFTA ARBITRATION — In September 2018, our subsidiary Legacy Vulcan, LLC (Legacy Vulcan), on its own behalf, and on behalf of our Mexican subsidiary Calizas Industriales del Carmen, S.A. de C.V. (Calica), served the United Mexican States (Mexico) a Notice of Intent to Submit a Claim to Arbitration under Chapter 11 of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Our NAFTA claim relates to the treatment of a portion of our quarrying operations in the State of Quintana Roo, in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, arising from , among other measures, Mexico’s failure to comply with a legally binding zoning agreement and to other unfair, arbitrary and capricious actions by Mexico’s environmental enforcement agency. We assert that these actions are in breach of Mexico’s international obligations under NAFTA and international law. As required by Article 1118 of NAFTA, we sought to settle this dispute with Mexico through consultations. Notwithstanding our good faith efforts to resolve the dispute amicably, we were unable to do so and filed a Request for Arbitration, which we filed with the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) in December 2018. In January 2019, ICSID registered our Request for Arbitration. We expect that the NAFTA arbitration will take at least two years to be concluded. At this time, there can be no assurance whether we will be successful in our NAFTA claim, and we cannot quantify the amount we may recover, if any, under this arbitration proceeding if we were successful. 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, 2018
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 5,000,000 shares of 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. There were no shares held in treasury as of December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016. Our common stock purchases (all of which were open market purchases) and subsequent retirements for the years ended December 31 are summarized below:    in thousands, except average cost 2018 2017 2016  Shares Purchased and Retired  Number 1,192 510 1,427  Total purchase price $ 133,983 $ 60,303 $ 161,463  Average price per share $ 112.41 $ 118.18 $ 113.18  As of December 31, 2018, 8,297,789 shares may be purchased under the current authorization of our Board of Directors. Dividends were as follows:     in thousands, except per share data 2018 2017 2016  Dividends  Cash dividends $ 148,109 $ 132,335 $ 106,333  Cash dividends per share $ 1.12 $ 1.00 $ 0.80

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
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 2018 2017 2016  AOCI  Interest rate hedges $ (11,180) $ (11,438) $ (13,300)  Pension and postretirement plans (161,035) (138,028) (126,076)  Total $ (172,215) $ (149,466) $ (139,376)  Changes in AOCI, net of tax, for the three year s ended December 31, 2018 are as follows:    Pension and  Interest Rate Postretirement  in thousands Hedges Benefit Plans Total  AOCI  Balances at 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)  Balances at December 31, 2016 $ (13,300) $ (126,076) $ (139,376)  Other comprehensive income (loss)  before reclassifications 0 (14,106) (14,106)  Amounts reclassified from AOCI 1,862 2,154 4,016  Net OCI changes 1,862 (11,952) (10,090)  Balances at December 31, 2017 $ (11,438) $ (138,028) $ (149,466)  Released stranded tax effects ASU 2018-02 (Note 9) (2,464) (27,165) (29,629)  Balances at January 1, 2018, due to reclassification $ (13,902) $ (165,193) $ (179,095)  Other comprehensive income (loss)  before reclassifications 2,496 (207) 2,289  Amounts reclassified from AOCI 226 4,365 4,591  Net OCI changes 2,722 4,158 6,880  Balances at December 31, 2018 $ (11,180) $ (161,035) $ (172,215)  Amounts reclassified from AOCI to earnings, are as follows:     in thousands 2018 2017 2016  Amortization of Interest Rate Hedge Losses  Interest expense $ 306 $ 3,070 $ 2,008  Benefit from income taxes (80) (1,208) (814)  Total $ 226 $ 1,862 $ 1,194  Amortization of Pension and Postretirement Plan  Actuarial Loss and Prior Service Cost  Other nonoperating income $ 5,906 $ 2,915 $ 134  Benefit from income taxes (1,541) (761) (52)  Total $ 4,365 $ 2,154 $ 82  Total reclassifications from AOCI to earnings $ 4,591 $ 4,016 $ 1,276

SEGMENT REPORTING

SEGMENT REPORTING	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
SEGMENT REPORTING [Abstract]
SEGMENT REPORTING	NOTE 15: SEGMENT REPORTING We have four operating (and reportable ) segments organized around our principal product lines: Aggregates, Asphalt, Concrete and Calcium. Management reviews earnings from the product line reporting segments principally at the gross profit level. The Aggregates segment produces and sells aggregates (crushed stone, sand and gravel, sand, and other aggregates) and related products and services. During 2018, the Aggregates segment principally served markets in twenty states, Washington D.C., Mexico and the Bahamas with a full line of aggregates, and nine 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 segment produces and sells asphalt mix in six states: Alabama, Arizona, California, New Mexico, Tennessee and Texas, and includes asphalt construction paving in three states: Alabama, Tennessee and Texas. We entered the Alabama and Tennessee asphalt markets in 2018 and 2017, respectively, through acquisitions (see Note 19). The Concrete segment produces and sells ready-mixed concrete in five states, Washington D.C. and an immaterial amount in the Bahamas. In 2018, we exited the Georgia ready-mixed concrete market through a divestiture (see Note 19). In 2017, we reentered the California ready-mixed concrete market through an acquisition and exited the Arizona market through a swap (see Note 19). The Calcium segment consists of a Florida facility that mines, produces and sells calcium products. Aggregates comprise approximately 95% of asphalt mix by weight and 80% of ready-mixed concrete by weight. Our Asphalt 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 used in the production of asphalt mix and ready-mixed concrete. Customers for our Asphalt 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 $4,365,309,000 in 2018, $3,872,494,000 in 2017 and $3,579,427,000 in 2016. Nondomestic Aggregates segment revenues were $17,560,000 in 2018, $17,802,000 in 2017 and $13,240,000 in 2016; there were no significant nondomestic revenues in our Asphalt, Concrete or Calcium segments. Long-lived assets outside the United States, which consist primarily of property, plant & equipment, were $278,520,000 in 2018, $211,282,000 in 2017 and $188,652,000 in 2016. Equity method investments of $39,395,000 in 2018, $22,967,000 in 2017 and $22,965,000 in 2016 are included below in the identifiable assets for the Aggregates segment and in investments and long-term receivables on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. SEGMENT FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE     in thousands 2018 2017 2016  Total Revenues  Aggregates 1 $ 3,513,649 $ 3,096,094 $ 2,961,835  Asphalt 2 733,182 622,074 512,310  Concrete 401,999 417,745 330,125  Calcium 8,110 7,740 8,860  Segment sales $ 4,656,940 $ 4,143,653 $ 3,813,130  Aggregates intersegment sales (274,071) (253,357) (220,463)  Total revenues $ 4,382,869 $ 3,890,296 $ 3,592,667  Gross Profit  Aggregates 3 $ 991,858 $ 854,524 $ 863,811  Asphalt 3 56,480 91,313 96,608  Concrete 3 49,893 45,201 24,992  Calcium 2,714 2,475 3,474  Total $ 1,100,945 $ 993,513 $ 988,885  Depreciation, Depletion, Accretion and Amortization (DDA&A)  Aggregates $ 281,641 $ 245,151 $ 236,472  Asphalt 31,290 25,400 16,797  Concrete 12,539 13,822 12,129  Calcium 272 677 774  Other 20,504 20,915 18,768  Total $ 346,246 $ 305,965 $ 284,940  Capital Expenditures 4  Aggregates $ 422,175 $ 421,989 $ 297,737  Asphalt 38,154 12,970 29,002  Concrete 12,291 25,176 10,047  Calcium 22 78 534  Corporate 2,587 4,020 7,621  Total $ 475,229 $ 464,233 $ 344,941  Identifiable Assets 5  Aggregates $ 8,887,749 $ 8,409,505 $ 7,589,225  Asphalt 527,226 426,575 259,514  Concrete 266,581 271,818 192,673  Calcium 3,942 4,428 4,959  Total identifiable assets $ 9,685,498 $ 9,112,326 $ 8,046,371  General corporate assets 102,228 245,919 157,085  Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash 44,404 146,646 268,019  Total assets $ 9,832,130 $ 9,504,891 $ 8,471,475   1 Includes product sales, as well as freight & delivery costs that we pass along to our customers, and service revenues (see Note 2) related to aggregates. 2 Includes product sales, as well as service revenues (see Note 2) from our asphalt construction paving business. 3 The 2017 and 2016 amounts have been revised as a result of our adoption of ASU 2017-07 as described in Note 1 under the captions New Accounting Standards and Accounting Standards Recently Adopted. 4 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. 5 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, 2018
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 2018 2017 2016  Cash Payments  Interest (exclusive of amount capitalized) $ 128,217 $ 285,801 $ 135,039  Income taxes (65,968) 125,135 102,849  Noncash Investing and Financing Activities  Accrued liabilities for purchases of property,  plant & equipment $ 37,116 $ 31,267 $ 26,676  Amounts referable to business acquisitions  Liabilities assumed 1 5,405 3,876 798  Consideration payable to seller 4,500 9,681 0  Fair value of noncash assets and liabilities exchanged 0 9,900 0   1 The 2018 amount includes adjustments to 2017 acquisitions.

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
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. We record all AROs for which we have legal obligations for land reclamation at estimated fair value. 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 2018 2017 2016  ARO Operating Costs  Accretion $ 10,776 $ 11,415 $ 11,059  Depreciation 6,034 6,302 6,353  Total $ 16,810 $ 17,717 $ 17,412  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 2018 2017  Asset Retirement Obligations  Balance at beginning of year $ 218,117 $ 223,872  Liabilities incurred 20 1,920  Liabilities settled (13,558) (21,477)  Accretion expense 10,776 11,415  Revisions, net 10,371 2,387  Balance at end of year $ 225,726 $ 218,117  ARO liabilities settled during 2018 and 2017 include $6,934,000 and $11,578,000 , respectively, of reclamation activities required under a development agreement and conditional use permits at two adjacent aggregates sites on owned property in Southern California. The reclamation required under the development agreement will result in the restoration of 90 acres of previously mined property to conditions suitable for commercial and retail development.

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
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 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, 2018, 2017 and 2016. Accumulated goodwill impairment losses amount to $252,664,000 in the Calcium segment. We have four reportable segments organized around our principal product lines: Aggregates, Asphalt, Concrete and Calcium. Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment for the three years ended December 31, 2018 are as follows:     in thousands Aggregates Asphalt Concrete Calcium Total  Goodwill  Totals at December 31, 2016 $ 3,003,191 $ 91,633 $ 0 $ 0 $ 3,094,824  Goodwill of acquired businesses 1 27,497 0 0 0 27,497  Totals at December 31, 2017 $ 3,030,688 $ 91,633 $ 0 $ 0 $ 3,122,321  Goodwill of acquired businesses 1 43,075 0 0 0 43,075  Totals at December 31, 2018 $ 3,073,763 $ 91,633 $ 0 $ 0 $ 3,165,396   1 See Note 19 for a summary of acquisitions .  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 2018, 2017 and 2016. 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-sales 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. There were no charges for impairment of intangible assets in 2018 and 2017. During 2016, we incurred $8,180,000 of impairment charges related to intangible Aggregates segment assets. The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization by major intangible asset class for the years ended December 31 are summarized below:     in thousands 2018 2017  Gross Carrying Amount  Contractual rights in place $ 1,107,838 $ 1,050,816  Noncompetition agreements 7,667 7,067  Favorable lease agreements 9,479 9,479  Permitting, permitting compliance and zoning rights 126,538 119,002  Other 1 4,517 4,616  Total gross carrying amount $ 1,256,039 $ 1,190,980  Accumulated Amortization  Contractual rights in place $ (122,100) $ (94,534)  Noncompetition agreements (4,212) (2,440)  Favorable lease agreements (3,533) (3,179)  Permitting, permitting compliance and zoning rights (27,464) (24,352)  Other 1 (3,352) (2,845)  Total accumulated amortization $ (160,661) $ (127,350)  Total Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization, net $ 1,095,378 $ 1,063,630  Intangible Assets with Indefinite Lives 0 0  Total Intangible Assets, net $ 1,095,378 $ 1,063,630  Amortization Expense for the Year $ 34,924 $ 23,765   1 Includes customer relationships and tradenames and trademarks.  Estimated amortization expense for the five years subsequent to December 31, 2018 is as follows:     in thousands  Estimated Amortization Expense for Five Subsequent Years  2019 $ 34,973  2020 33,698  2021 31,695  2022 29,146  2023 28,635

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES [Abstract]
ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES	NOTE 19: ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS 2018 business acquisitions — During 2018 , we purchased the following operations for total consideration of $ 219,863,000 ( $215,363,000 cash and $4,500,000 payable): § Alabama — aggregates, asphalt mix and construction paving operations § California — aggregates and asphalt mix operations § Texas — aggregates rail yards, asphalt mix and construction paving operations The 2018 acquisitions listed above are reported in our consolidated financial statements as of their respective acquisition dates. None of these acquisitions are material to our results of operations or financial position either individually or collectively. The fair value of consideration transferred for these business acquisitions and the preliminary amounts assigned ( pending appraisals of contractual rights in place and property, plant & equipment ) to assets acquired and liabilities assume d, a re summarized below:     in thousands 2018  Fair Value of Purchase Consideration  Cash $ 215,363  Payable to seller 4,500  Total fair value of purchase consideration $ 219,863  Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed  Accounts and notes receivable, net $ 15,402  Inventories 11,874  Other current assets 661  Property, plant & equipment 150,274  Other intangible assets  Contractual rights in place 44,163  Deferred income taxes, net (32,871)  Liabilities assumed (11,965)  Net identifiable assets acquired $ 177,538  Goodwill $ 42,325  As a result of the 2 018 acquisitions, we recognized $ 44,163,000 of amortizable intangible assets (c ontractual rights in place). The contractual rights in place will be amortized against earnings ( $ 43,072,000 - straight-line over a weighted-average 19.9 years and $1,080,000 - units of sales in excess of 30.0 years) and $7,385,000 will be deductible for income tax purposes over 15 years. Of the $42,325,000 of goodwill recognized, $4,468,000 will be deductible for income tax purposes over 15 years, and $32,871,000 represents the balance of deferred tax liabilities generated from carrying over the seller’s tax basis in the assets acquired. 2017 business acquisitions — During 2017 (excluding the assets immediately divested in the December 2017 Aggregates USA acquisition for $287,292,000 ), we purchased the following operations related to material business acquisitions for total consideration of $ 793,523,000 : § California — aggregates and ready-mixed concrete operations § Florida — aggregates operations § Georgia — aggregates operations § South Carolina — aggregates operations § Tennessee — asphalt mix and construction paving operations The amounts of total revenues and net earnings for the material business acquisitions noted above are included in our Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year ended December 31, 2017, as follows:    in thousands 2017  Actual Results  Total revenues $ 162,462  Net earnings 11,830  The unaudited pro forma financial information in the table below summarizes the results of operations for Vulcan and these material business acquisitions as if they were combined as of January 1, 2016. The 2016 financial information does not reflect any cost savings, operating efficiencies or synergies as a result of these combinations. Transactions between Vulcan and these businesses during the periods presented in the pro forma financial information were immaterial and have been eliminated as if the companies were consolidated affiliates during the following periods:    in thousands 2017 2016  Supplemental Pro Forma Results  Total revenues $ 4,015,891 $ 3,882,257  Net earnings 610,494 433,431  The unaudited pro forma results above may not be indicative of the results that would have been obtained had these acquisitions occurred at the beginning of 2016, nor does it intend to be a projection of future results. The fair value of consideration transferred for these material business acquisitions and the preliminary amounts assigned as of December 31, 2017 (immaterial adjustments were recorded in 2018 including an increase to goodwill of $750,000 ) to assets acquired and liabilities assume d, a re summarized below:    in thousands 2017  Fair Value of Purchase Consideration  Cash $ 1,072,978  Payable to seller 7,837  Total fair value of purchase consideration $ 1,080,815  Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed  Accounts and notes receivable, net $ 14,955  Inventories 21,679  Other current assets 608  Investments 3,590  Property, plant & equipment 433,606  Other intangible assets  Contractual rights in place 295,482  Liabilities assumed (3,894)  Net identifiable assets acquired and retained $ 766,026  Goodwill $ 27,497  Net Assets Divested Immediately Upon Acquisition $ 287,292  Additionally, during 2017 we acquired the following operations related to immaterial business acquisitions for $48,490,000 of consideration ( $36,746,000 cash, $1,844,000 payable and $9,900,000 of fair value of assets swapped): § Arizona — asphalt mix operations § Illinois — aggregates operations § New Mexico — aggregates operations § Tennessee — aggregates operations § Virginia — aggregates and ready-mixed concrete operations As a collective result of the 2 017 acquisitions, we recognized $ 309,112,000 of amortizable intangible assets (primarily c ontractual rights in place).The contractual rights in place will be amortized against earnings ( $ 73,879,000 - straight-line over a weighted-average 19.3 years and $235,133,000 - units of sales over an estimated 54.7 years) and deductible for income tax purposes over 15 years. Of the $28,247,000 of goodwill recognized, all will be deductible for income tax purposes over 15 years. 2016 business acquisitions — During 2016, the following operations were acquired for $ 33,287,000 of consideration ( $32,537,000 cash and $750,000 payable): § Georgia — aggregates distribution and logistical operations § New Mexico — asphalt mix operations § Texas — aggregates operations None of the 2016 acquisitions listed above are material to our results of operations or financial position either individually or collectively. As a result of these 2016 acquisitions, we recognized $ 16,670,000 of amortizable intangible assets ( $15,213,000 contractual rights in place and $1,457,000 of noncompetition agreement).The contractual rights in place will be amortized against earnings ( $ 6,798,000 - straight-line over 20 years and $8,415,000 - units of sales o ver an estimated 20 years) and deductible for income tax purposes over 15 years. DIVESTITURES AND PENDING DIVESTITURES In 2018, we sold: § First quarter — ready-mixed concrete operations in Georgia resulting in a pretax gain of $2,929,000 (we retained all real property which is leased to the buyer, and obtained a long-term aggregates supply agreement) In 2017, we sold: § Fourth quarter — swapped ready-mixed concrete operations in Arizona (fair value of $9,900,000 and book value of $1,879,000 ) for asphalt mix operations in Arizona resulting in a pretax gain of $8,021,000 § Fourth quarter — as required by the Department of Justice, we immediately divested certain assets obtained in the Aggregates USA acquisition resulting in no gain In 2016, we sold: § Fourth quarter — surplus land in California and Virginia for net pretax cash proceeds of $19,185,000 resulting in pretax gains of $11,871,000 § Fourth quarter — plant relocation reimbursement 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 other operating expense in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income) No assets met the criteria for held for sale at December 31, 2018, 2017 or 2016.

UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTARY DATA	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
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, 2018 and 2017:     2018  Three Months Ended  in thousands, except per share data March 31 June 30 Sept 30 Dec 31  Total revenues $ 854,474 $ 1,200,151 $ 1,240,197 $ 1,088,047  Gross profit 159,334 323,184 343,142 275,285  Operating earnings 81,195 230,843 249,184 186,491  Earnings from continuing operations 53,395 160,302 179,864 124,280  Net earnings 52,979 159,652 179,151 124,023  Basic earnings per share from continuing operations $ 0.40 $ 1.21 $ 1.36 $ 0.94  Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations $ 0.40 $ 1.20 $ 1.34 $ 0.93  Basic net earnings per share $ 0.40 $ 1.21 $ 1.35 $ 0.94  Diluted net earnings per share $ 0.39 $ 1.19 $ 1.34 $ 0.93      2017  Three Months Ended  in thousands, except per share data March 31 June 30 Sept 30 Dec 31  Total revenues $ 787,328 $ 1,030,763 $ 1,094,715 $ 977,490  Gross profit 158,221 290,017 303,758 241,517  Operating earnings 70,388 191,976 227,478 149,202  Earnings from continuing operations 43,523 111,749 110,150 327,969  Net earnings 44,921 120,139 108,579 327,546  Basic earnings per share from continuing operations $ 0.33 $ 0.84 $ 0.83 $ 2.47  Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations $ 0.32 $ 0.83 $ 0.82 $ 2.43  Basic net earnings per share $ 0.34 $ 0.91 $ 0.82 $ 2.47  Diluted net earnings per share $ 0.33 $ 0.89 $ 0.81 $ 2.43 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_2

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]
NATURE OF OPERATIONS	NATURE OF OPERATIONS Vulcan Materials Company (the “Company,” “Vulcan,” “we,” “our”), a New Jersey corporation, is the 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 operate primarily in the United States and our principal product — aggregates — is used in virtually all types of public and private construction projects and in the production 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 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 Alabama, mid-Atlantic, Southwestern, Tennessee and Western markets. Due to the 2005 sale of our Chemicals business as described below, the results of the Chemicals business are presented as discontinued operations in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS	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. Results from discontinued operations are as follows:    in thousands 2018 2017 2016  Discontinued Operations  Pretax earnings (loss) $ (2,748) $ 12,959 $ (4,877)  Income tax (expense) benefit 712 (5,165) 1,962  Earnings (loss) on discontinued operations,  net of tax $ (2,036) $ 7,794 $ (2,915)  Discontinued operations include charges related to general and product liability costs, including legal defense costs, and environmental remediation costs associated with our former Chemicals business. The 2017 results also reflect insurance recoveries for past legal expenses associated with the Texas Brine matter (see Note 12). There were no revenues from discontinued operations for the years presented.
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. Partially-owned affiliates are either consolidated or accounted for at cost or as equity investments depending on the level of ownership interest or our ability to exercise control over the affiliates’ operations. 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 impairments, business combinations and purchase price allocation, pension and other postretirement benefits, environmental compliance, claims and litigation including self-insurance, and income taxes.
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS	BUSINESS COMBINATIONS We account for business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting. The purchase price of an acquisition is allocated to the underlying identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their respective fair values. The purchase price is determined based on the fair value of consideration transferred to and liabilities assumed from the seller as of the date of acquisition. We allocate the purchase price to the fair values of the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the date of acquisition. Goodwill is recorded for the excess of the purchase price over the net of the fair value of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Determining the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires judgment and often involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction, and therefore represents an exit price. A fair value measurement assumes the highest and best use of the asset by market participants. We may adjust the amounts recognized in an acquisition during a measurement period after the acquisition date. Any such adjustments are the result of subsequently obtaining additional information that existed at the acquisition date regarding the assets acquired or the liabilities assumed. Measurement period adjustments are generally recorded as increases or decreases to goodwill, if any, recognized in the transaction. The cumulative impact of measurement period adjustments on depreciation, amortization and other income statement items are recognized in the period the adjustment is determined.
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 and cash reserved by other contractual agreements (such as asset purchase agreements) for a specified purpose and therefore not available for use in our operations. The escrow accounts are administered by an intermediary. Cash restricted pursuant to like-kind exchange agreements remains restricted for a maximum of 180 days from the date of the property sale pending the acquisition of replacement property. Restricted cash is included with cash and cash equivalents 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 15 days of the month following invoice. 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. As of December 31, 2018, income tax receivables of $922,000 are included in other accounts and notes receivable in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet. There were similar receivables of $106,980,000 ( $106,000,000 related to 2017 federal estimated payments which were refunded early 2018) as of December 31, 2017. Receivables are aged and appropriate allowances for doubtful accounts and bad debt expense are recorded. Bad debt expense (net of recoveries) for the years ended December 31 was as follows: 2018 — $251,000 , 2017 — $812,000 and 2016 — $(1,190,000) . Write-offs of accounts receivables for the years ended December 31 were as follows: 2018 — $1,291,000 , 2017 — $1,384,000 and 2016 — $1,544,000 . The bad debt recovery 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 net realizable value. 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 $4,155,000 and $4,446,000 are reflected in net property, plant & equipment as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. We capitalized software costs for the years ended December 31 as follows: 2018 — $2,213,000 , 2017 — $1,988,000 and 2016 — $152,000 . 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 35 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-sales 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-sales 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 2018 2017 2016  Depreciation, Depletion, Accretion and Amortization  Depreciation $ 276,814 $ 250,835 $ 238,237  Depletion 23,260 19,342 17,812  Accretion 10,776 11,415 11,059  Amortization of leaseholds 472 608 267  Amortization of intangibles 34,924 23,765 17,565  Total $ 346,246 $ 305,965 $ 284,940 
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS	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. Changes in the fair value of 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. Changes in the fair value of 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. 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 2018 2017  Fair Value Recurring  Rabbi Trust  Mutual funds $ 19,164 $ 20,348  Total $ 19,164 $ 20,348     Level 2 Fair Value  in thousands 2018 2017  Fair Value Recurring  Rabbi Trust  Money market mutual fund $ 1,015 $ 1,203  Total $ 1,015 $ 1,203  We have two 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 Trusts’ investments were $(2,741,000) , $2,441,000 and $2,741,000 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The portions of the net gains (losses) related to investments still held by the Rabbi Trusts at December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 were $(4,386,000) , $(3,618,000) and $1,599,000 , respectively. 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.
GOODWILL IMPAIRMENT	GOO DWILL 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, 2018, goodwill totaled $3,165,396,000 , as compared to $3,122,321,000 at December 31, 2017. Goodwill represents 32% of total assets at December 31, 2018 compared to 33% at December 31, 2017. 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, Concrete and Calcium. Within these four operating segments, we have identified 17 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 quantitative test. We elected to perform the quantitative impairment test for all years presented. The quantitative impairment test compares the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. I f the fair value exceeds its carrying value, the goodwill of the reporting unit is not considered impaired. However, if the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, we recognize an impairment loss equal to that excess. The results of the annual impairment tests performed as of November 1, 2018, 2017 and 2016 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, 2018, 2017 or 2016. 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, 2018, net property, plant & equipment represents 43% of total assets, while net other intangible assets represents 11% of total assets. During 2018 and 2017, we recorded no losses on impairment of long-lived 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. For additional information about long-lived assets and intangible assets see Notes 4 and 18.
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 $78,911,000 in 2018, $65,944,000 in 2017 and $55,987,000 in 2016. 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-sales method. Pre-production stripping costs included in other noncurrent assets were $95,800,000 as of December 31, 2018 and $81,241,000 as of December 31, 2017. This year-over-year increase resulted primarily from the removal of overburden at a greenfield site in California.
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 $225,726,000 as of December 31, 2018 and $218,117,000 as of December 31, 2017. For additional information about reclamation obligations (referred to in our financial statements as asset retirement obligations) see Note 17.
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 the 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, 2018, 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 $3,105,000 — 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 2018 2017  Self-insurance Program  Self-insured liabilities (undiscounted) $ 68,912 $ 58,216  Insured liabilities (undiscounted) 4,377 7,892  Discount rate 2.93% 1.93%  Amounts Recognized in Consolidated  Balance Sheets  Other accounts and notes receivable $ 631 $ 6,158  Investments and long-term receivables 3,932 7,246  Other current liabilities (18,466) (20,036)  Other noncurrent liabilities (48,049) (41,792)  Net liabilities (discounted) $ (61,952) $ (48,424)  Estimated payments (undiscounted and excluding the impact of related receivables) under our self-insurance program for the five years subsequent to December 31, 2018 are as follows:     in thousands  Estimated Payments under Self-insurance Program  2019 $ 20,529  2020 15,232  2021 11,615  2022 6,360  2023 3,665  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.
SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION	SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION All of our share-based compensation awards are classified as equity awards. We measure share-based compensation awards using fair-value-based measurement methods. This results in the recognition of compensation expense for all share-based compensation awards based on their fair value as of the grant date. Compensation cost is recognized over the requisite service period. Forfeitures are recognized as they occur. A summary of the estimated future compensation cost (unrecognized compensation expense) as of December 31, 2018 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 $ 3,376 1.4  Performance shares 14,250 1.6  Restricted shares 6,098 1.7  Total/weighted-average $ 23,724 1.6   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 2018 2017 2016  Employee Share-based Compensation Awards  Pretax compensation expense $ 23,250 $ 24,367 $ 17,823  Income tax benefits 5,940 6,226 6,925  We 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. Tax 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. Net excess tax benefits were recorded as reductions to our income tax expense and reflected as operating cash flows, as follows (combined federal and state): 2018 — $20,137,000 ; 2017 — $22,962,000 ; and 2016 — $24,847,000 . For additional information about share-based compensation, see Note 11 under the caption Share-based Compensation Plans.
PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS	PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS Accounting for pension and other postretirement benefits requires that we use assumptions for the valuation of projected benefit obligations (PBO) and the performance of plan assets. Each year, we review our assumptions for discount rates (used for PBO, service cost, and interest cost calculations) and the expected return on plan assets. Due to plan changes made in 2012 and 2013, annual pay increases and the per capita cost of healthcare benefits do not materially impact plan obligations. § DISCOUNT RATES — We use a high-quality bond full yield curve approach (specific spot rates for each annual expected cash flow) to establish the discount rates at each measurement date. See Note 10 for the discount rates used for PBO, service cost, and interest cost calculation s. § EXPECTED RETURN ON PLAN ASSETS — 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. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the expected return on plan assets remained at 7.0%. 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.
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. We are required to account for the effects of changes in income tax rates on deferred tax balances in the period in which the legislation is enacted. 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. Generally, we are not subject to significant changes in income taxes by any taxing jurisdiction for the years before 2015. 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, as well as 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 2018 2017 2016  Weighted-average common shares outstanding 132,393 132,513 133,205  Dilutive effect of  SOSARs 963 1,295 1,339  Other stock compensation plans 570 1,070 1,246  Weighted-average common shares outstanding,  assuming dilution 133,926 134,878 135,790  All dilutive common stock equivalents are reflected in our earnings per share calculations. In periods of loss, shares that otherwise would have been included in our diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding computation would be excluded. 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 2018 2017 2016  Antidilutive common stock equivalents 162 79 97 
RECLASSIFICATIONS	   in thousands 2018 2017 2016  Antidilutive common stock equivalents 162 79 97 RECLASSIFICATIONS Certain items previously reported in specific financial statement captions have been reclassified to conform with the 2018 presentation. Refer below to Accounting Standards Recently Adopted (Presentation of Benefit Plan Costs) for the impact of reclassifying certain benefit costs from operating income to nonoperating income in our Statements of Comprehensive Income.
NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS	NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS ACCOUNTING STANDARDS RECENTLY ADOPTED RELEASING STRANDED TAX EFFECTS During the fourth quarter of 2018, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2018-02, “Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income,” effective as of the beginning of the year. This ASU allowed us to reclassify $29,629,000 of stranded tax effects due to remeasuring certain deferred tax assets as a result of applying the TCJA enacted in December 2017 from accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) to retained earnings. PRESENTATION OF BENEFIT PLAN COSTS During the first quarter of 2018, we adopted ASU 2017-07, “Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost,” on a retrospective basis as required. This ASU changed the presentation of the net benefit cost in the income statement and limits benefit costs eligible for inventory capitalization to the service cost component (benefit costs capitalized in inventory are immaterial to our financial statements). We continue to present the service cost component of net benefit cost in cost of revenues and selling, administrative and general expense consistent with employee compensation costs. The other components of net benefit cost (credit) are now included in other nonoperating income. These other components were a net credit for all periods presented resulting in a decrease in operating earnings and an increase in other nonoperating income, as follows: 2018 — $16,539,000 ; 2017 — $8,102,000 and 2016 — $13,715,000 . CLASSIFICATION AND MEASUREMENT OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS During the first quarter of 2018, we adopted ASU 2016-01, “Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” This ASU 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. The adoption of this standard had no material impact on our consolidated financial statements. REVENUE RECOGNITION During the first quarter of 2018, we adopted ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (ASC Topic 606). Topic 606 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. Additionally, it provides a more robust framework for addressing revenue issues and expands required revenue recognition disclosures. We adopted this standard using the cumulative effect transition approach; however, because there was no change in the identified performance obligations under Topic 606 compared with the identification of deliverables and separate units of account under previous guidance (Topic 605), the amount and timing of our revenues remain materially unchanged. Our expanded revenue disclosure is presented in Note 2. ACCOUNTING STANDARDS PENDING ADOPTION DEFINED BENEFIT PLA NS In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU 2018-14, “Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans,” which adds, removes and clarifies the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans. ASU 2018-14 is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020 and is to be applied retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted. While we are still evaluating the impact of ASU 2018-14 and whether we will early adopt, it will not impact our consolidated financial statements as it only affects disclosure. Thus, the adoption of this standard will have a minor impact on the notes to our consolidated financial statements, specifically, our benefit plans note. 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. We do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. 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 certain exclusions, including mineral 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. We will adopt this standard in the first quarter of 2019 utilizing the comparatives transition option under ASC 840. Under this transition approach, we will not restate our comparative periods in the period of adoption. We currently expect to recognize operating lease liabilities of approximately $430,000,000 , with corresponding right-of-use assets of the same amount based on the present value of the remaining minimum rental payments under current leasing standards for existing operating leases. We expect to elect the ‘package of practical expedients’, which permits us not to reassess under the new standard our prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification, and initial direct costs. Also, we expect to elect the use of the practical expedient pertaining to land easements. We do not expect to elect the use-of-hindsight practical expedient. The new standard also provides practical expedients for an entity’s ongoing accounting. We currently expect to elect the short-term lease recognition exemption for all equipment leases. This means, for those leases that qualify, we will not recognize right-of-use assets or lease liabilities, and this includes not recognizing right-of-use assets or lease liabilities for existing short-term leases of those assets in transition. We also currently expect to elect the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components for all of our leases.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_3

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]
Results from Discontinued Operations	   in thousands 2018 2017 2016  Discontinued Operations  Pretax earnings (loss) $ (2,748) $ 12,959 $ (4,877)  Income tax (expense) benefit 712 (5,165) 1,962  Earnings (loss) on discontinued operations,  net of tax $ (2,036) $ 7,794 $ (2,915) 
Depreciation, Depletion, Accretion and Amortization Expense	   in thousands 2018 2017 2016  Depreciation, Depletion, Accretion and Amortization  Depreciation $ 276,814 $ 250,835 $ 238,237  Depletion 23,260 19,342 17,812  Accretion 10,776 11,415 11,059  Amortization of leaseholds 472 608 267  Amortization of intangibles 34,924 23,765 17,565  Total $ 346,246 $ 305,965 $ 284,940 
Fair Value Measurement on Recurring Basis	   Level 1 Fair Value  in thousands 2018 2017  Fair Value Recurring  Rabbi Trust  Mutual funds $ 19,164 $ 20,348  Total $ 19,164 $ 20,348     Level 2 Fair Value  in thousands 2018 2017  Fair Value Recurring  Rabbi Trust  Money market mutual fund $ 1,015 $ 1,203  Total $ 1,015 $ 1,203 
Liabilities Under Self-Insurance Program	   dollars in thousands 2018 2017  Self-insurance Program  Self-insured liabilities (undiscounted) $ 68,912 $ 58,216  Insured liabilities (undiscounted) 4,377 7,892  Discount rate 2.93% 1.93%  Amounts Recognized in Consolidated  Balance Sheets  Other accounts and notes receivable $ 631 $ 6,158  Investments and long-term receivables 3,932 7,246  Other current liabilities (18,466) (20,036)  Other noncurrent liabilities (48,049) (41,792)  Net liabilities (discounted) $ (61,952) $ (48,424) 
Estimated Payments (Undiscounted) Under Self-Insurance Program	   in thousands  Estimated Payments under Self-insurance Program  2019 $ 20,529  2020 15,232  2021 11,615  2022 6,360  2023 3,665 
Unrecognized Compensation Expense	   Unrecognized Expected  Compensation Weighted-average  dollars in thousands Expense Recognition (Years)  Share-based Compensation  SOSARs 1 $ 3,376 1.4  Performance shares 14,250 1.6  Restricted shares 6,098 1.7  Total/weighted-average $ 23,724 1.6   1 Stock-Only Stock Appreciation Rights (SOSARs) 
Pretax Compensation Expense	   in thousands 2018 2017 2016  Employee Share-based Compensation Awards  Pretax compensation expense $ 23,250 $ 24,367 $ 17,823  Income tax benefits 5,940 6,226 6,925 
Weighted-Average Common Shares Outstanding Assuming Dilution	   in thousands 2018 2017 2016  Weighted-average common shares outstanding 132,393 132,513 133,205  Dilutive effect of  SOSARs 963 1,295 1,339  Other stock compensation plans 570 1,070 1,246  Weighted-average common shares outstanding,  assuming dilution 133,926 134,878 135,790 
Antidilutive Common Stock Equivalents	   in thousands 2018 2017 2016  Antidilutive common stock equivalents 162 79 97 

REVENUES (Tables)

REVENUES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
REVENUES [Abstract]
Revenues by Geographic Market	    For the Year Ended December 31, 2018  in thousands Aggregates Asphalt Concrete Calcium Total  Total Revenues by Geographic Market 1  East $ 1,109,489 $ 156,591 $ 257,250 $ 0 $ 1,523,330  Gulf Coast 1,821,853 131,745 71,739 8,110 2,033,447  West 582,307 444,846 73,010 0 1,100,163  Segment sales $ 3,513,649 $ 733,182 $ 401,999 $ 8,110 $ 4,656,940  Intersegment sales (274,071) 0 0 0 (274,071)  Total revenues $ 3,239,578 $ 733,182 $ 401,999 $ 8,110 $ 4,382,869     For the Year Ended December 31, 2017  in thousands Aggregates Asphalt Concrete Calcium Total  Total Revenues by Geographic Market 1  East $ 1,045,682 $ 112,673 $ 244,568 $ 0 $ 1,402,923  Gulf Coast 1,512,505 80,311 102,716 7,740 1,703,272  West 537,907 429,090 70,461 0 1,037,458  Segment sales $ 3,096,094 $ 622,074 $ 417,745 $ 7,740 $ 4,143,653  Intersegment sales (253,357) 0 0 0 (253,357)  Total revenues $ 2,842,737 $ 622,074 $ 417,745 $ 7,740 $ 3,890,296     For the Year Ended December 31, 2016  in thousands Aggregates Asphalt Concrete Calcium Total  Total Revenues by Geographic Market 1  East $ 994,559 $ 0 $ 203,734 $ 0 $ 1,198,293  Gulf Coast 1,497,762 102,035 99,253 8,860 1,707,910  West 469,514 410,275 27,138 0 906,927  Segment sales $ 2,961,835 $ 512,310 $ 330,125 $ 8,860 $ 3,813,130  Intersegment sales (220,463) 0 0 0 (220,463)  Total revenues $ 2,741,372 $ 512,310 $ 330,125 $ 8,860 $ 3,592,667   1 The geographic markets are defined by states/countries as follows:  East market — Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington D.C. Gulf Coast market — Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mexico, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and the Bahamas West market — Arizona, California and New Mexico 
Freight & Delivery Revenues	    in thousands 2018 2017 2016  Freight & Delivery Revenues  Total revenues $ 4,382,869 $ 3,890,296 $ 3,592,667  Freight & delivery revenues 1 (641,815) (528,916) (535,929)  Total revenues excluding freight & delivery $ 3,741,054 $ 3,361,380 $ 3,056,738   1 Includes freight & delivery to remote distribution sites. 
Reconciliation of Deferred Revenue Balances	   in thousands 2018 2017 2016  Deferred Revenue  Balance at beginning of year $ 199,556 $ 206,468 $ 214,060  Revenue recognized from deferred revenue (6,773) (6,912) (7,592)  Balance at end of year $ 192,783 $ 199,556 $ 206,468 

INVENTORIES (Tables)

INVENTORIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
INVENTORIES [Abstract]
Inventories	   in thousands 2018 2017  Inventories  Finished products 1 $ 372,604 $ 327,711  Raw materials 27,942 27,152  Products in process 3,064 1,827  Operating supplies and other 25,720 27,648  Total $ 429,330 $ 384,338    1 Includes inventories encumbered b y vo lumetric production payment s (see Note 2 ), as follows: December 31, 2018 — $ 3,230 thousand and December 31, 2017 — $2,808 thousand. 

PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT (Ta

PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment	   in thousands 2018 2017  Property, Plant & Equipment  Land and land improvements 1 $ 2,823,092 $ 2,742,285  Buildings 139,948 135,655  Machinery and equipment 5,106,918 4,740,212  Leasehold improvements 18,217 17,354  Deferred asset retirement costs 183,324 172,631  Construction in progress 186,120 161,175  Total, gross $ 8,457,619 $ 7,969,312  Less allowances for depreciation, depletion  and amortization 4,220,312 4,050,381  Total, net $ 4,237,307 $ 3,918,931   1 Includes depletable land, as follows: December 31, 2018 — $ 1,626,899 thousand and December 31, 2017 — $1,606,303 thousand. 
Capitalized Interest Costs and Total Interest Costs Incurred	   in thousands 2018 2017 2016  Capitalized interest cost $ 3,674 $ 5,177 $ 7,468  Total interest cost incurred before recognition  of the capitalized amount 141,651 300,699 141,544 

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS (Tables)

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS [Abstract]
Effects of Changes in Fair Values of Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges	   in thousands Location on Statement 2018 2017 2016  Interest Rate Hedges  Loss reclassified from AOCI  (effective portion) Interest expense $ (306) $ (3,070) $ (2,008) 

DEBT (Tables)

DEBT (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
DEBT [Abstract]
Debt	   Effective  in thousands Interest Rates 2018 2017  Short-term Debt  Bank line of credit expires 2021 1, 2 1.25% $ 133,000 $ 0  Total short-term debt $ 133,000 $ 0  Long-term Debt  Bank line of credit expires 2021 1 $ 0 $ 250,000  Term loan due 2018 3 0 350,000  Floating-rate notes due 2020 3.50% 250,000 250,000  Floating-rate notes due 2021 3.71% 500,000 0  7.50% notes due 2021 0 35,111  8.85% notes due 2021 8.88% 6,000 6,000  Term loan due 2021 0 250,000  4.50% notes due 2025 4.65% 400,000 400,000  3.90% notes due 2027 4.00% 400,000 400,000  7.15% notes due 2037 8.05% 129,239 240,188  4.50% notes due 2047 4.59% 700,000 700,000  4.70% notes due 2048 5.42% 460,949 0  Other notes 6.46% 208 230  Total long-term debt - face value $ 2,846,396 $ 2,881,529  Unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs (67,016) (26,664)  Total long-term debt - book value $ 2,779,380 $ 2,854,865  Less current maturities 23 41,383  Total long-term debt - reported value $ 2,779,357 $ 2,813,482  Estimated fair value of long-term debt $ 2,695,802 $ 2,983,419     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 if we have the intent and ability to extend payment beyond twelve months. 2 The effective interest rate reflects the margin above LIBOR for LIBOR-based borrowings. We also paid upfront fees that are amortized to interest expense and pay fees for unused borrowing capacity and standby letters of credit. 3 This short-term loan was refinanced on a long-term basis in February 2018 as discussed below. Thus, it was classified as long-term debt as of December 31, 2017. 
Schedule of Principal and Interest Debt Payments	   in thousands Total Principal Interest  Scheduled Debt Payments (excluding the line of credit)  2019 $ 121,629 $ 23 $ 121,606  2020 366,366 250,025 116,341  2021 606,312 506,026 100,286  2022 96,041 28 96,013  2023 96,041 30 96,011 
Standby Letters of Credit	   in thousands  Standby Letters of Credit  Risk management insurance $ 38,111  Reclamation/restoration requirements 6,868  Total $ 44,979 

OPERATING LEASES (Tables)

OPERATING LEASES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
OPERATING LEASES [Abstract]
Rental Expense from Continuing Operations Under Nonmineral Operating Leases	   in thousands 2018 2017 2016  Operating Leases  Minimum rentals $ 76,443 $ 59,536 $ 52,713  Contingent rentals (based principally on usage) 54,572 50,822 57,278  Total $ 131,015 $ 110,358 $ 109,991 
Future Minimum Operating Lease Payments	   in thousands  Future Minimum Operating Lease Payments  2019 $ 47,979  2020 43,540  2021 35,732  2022 27,463  2023 19,707  Thereafter 195,104  Total $ 369,525 

ACCRUED ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIA_2

ACCRUED ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION COSTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
ACCRUED ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION COSTS [Abstract]
Accrued Environmental Remediation Costs	   in thousands 2018 2017  Accrued Environmental Remediation Costs  Continuing operations $ 39,745 $ 21,784  Retained from former Chemicals business 10,685 10,704  Total $ 50,430 $ 32,488 

INCOME TAXES (Tables)

INCOME TAXES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
INCOME TAXES [Abstract]
Components of Earnings From Continuing Operations before Income Taxes	   in thousands 2018 2017 2016  Earnings from Continuing Operations  before Income Taxes  Domestic $ 593,446 $ 346,668 $ 513,721  Foreign 29,844 14,648 33,536  Total $ 623,290 $ 361,316 $ 547,257 
Provision (Benefit) For Income Taxes from Continuing Operations	   in thousands 2018 2017 2016  Income Tax Expense (Benefit) from  Continuing Operations  Current  Federal $ 21,111 $ (7,416) $ 72,506  State and local 15,127 4,661 14,774  Foreign 4,278 3,109 6,974  Total $ 40,516 $ 354 $ 94,254  Deferred  Federal $ 59,216 $ (202,184) $ 37,246  State and local 8,369 (30,052) (6,647)  Foreign (2,652) (193) (2)  Total $ 64,933 $ (232,429) $ 30,597  Total expense (benefit) $ 105,449 $ (232,075) $ 124,851 
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 2018 2017 2016  Income tax expense at the federal  statutory tax rate $ 130,891 21.0% $ 126,461 35.0% $ 191,540 35.0%  Expense (Benefit) from  Income Tax Differences  Statutory depletion (21,733) -3.5% (28,995) -8.0% (32,230) -5.9%  State and local income taxes, net of federal  income tax benefit 18,562 3.0% 8,115 2.2% 10,074 1.9%  Share-based compensation (16,551) -2.7% (20,740) -5.7% (22,443) -4.1%  Uncertain tax positions (6,402) -1.0% 1,062 0.3% 1,272 0.2%  Revaluation - deferred tax balances 0 0.0% (301,567) -83.5% 0 0.0%  AL NOL valuation allowance release 0 0.0% (28,827) -8.0% (4,791) -0.9%  U.S. production deduction 0 0.0% 2,452 0.7% (8,790) -1.6%  Transition tax 595 0.1% 12,301 3.4% 0 0.0%  Foreign tax credit carryforward 0 0.0% 0 0.0% (6,513) -1.2%  Other, net 87 0.0% (2,337) -0.6% (3,268) -0.6%  Total income tax expense (benefit)/  Effective tax rate $ 105,449 16.9% $ (232,075) -64.2% $ 124,851 22.8% 
Components of Net Deferred Income Tax Liability	   in thousands 2018 2017  Deferred Tax Assets Related to  Employee benefits $ 24,407 $ 29,547  Incentive compensation 62,829 59,010  Asset retirement obligations & other reserves 55,822 47,116  State net operating losses 68,436 73,083  Federal credit carryforwards 0 51,284  Other 31,294 37,518  Total gross deferred tax assets $ 242,788 $ 297,558  Valuation allowance (29,680) (29,723)  Total net deferred tax asset $ 213,108 $ 267,835  Deferred Tax Liabilities Related to  Property, plant & equipment $ 510,604 $ 490,459  Goodwill/other intangible assets 233,471 216,039  Other 36,316 25,418  Total deferred tax liabilities $ 780,391 $ 731,916  Net deferred tax liability $ 567,283 $ 464,081 
Changes in Unrecognized Income Tax Benefits	   in thousands 2018 2017 2016  Unrecognized tax benefits as of January 1 $ 11,643 $ 10,828 $ 8,447  Increases for tax positions related to  Prior years 0 27 1,368  Current year 698 1,039 1,040  Decreases for tax positions related to  Prior years (655) (204) 0  Settlements with taxing authorities 0 0 0  Expiration of applicable statute of limitations (8,025) (47) (27)  Unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31 $ 3,661 $ 11,643 $ 10,828 

BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)

BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Pension Benefits [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 2018 2017  Change in Benefit Obligation  Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 1,091,223 $ 1,006,674  Service cost 5,716 6,715  Interest cost 35,503 36,230  Plan amendment 1 0 10,869  Actuarial (gain) loss (118,827) 81,969  Benefits paid (54,679) (51,234)  Projected benefit obligation at end of year $ 958,936 $ 1,091,223  Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets  Fair value of assets at beginning of year $ 840,901 $ 749,515  Actual return on plan assets (59,083) 122,597  Employer contribution 109,631 20,023  Benefits paid (54,679) (51,234)  Fair value of assets at end of year $ 836,770 $ 840,901  Funded status (122,166) (250,322)  Net amount recognized $ (122,166) $ (250,322)  Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated  Balance Sheets  Noncurrent assets $ 6,488 $ 4,605  Current liabilities (9,067) (9,478)  Noncurrent liabilities (119,587) (245,449)  Net amount recognized $ (122,166) $ (250,322)  Amounts Recognized in Accumulated  Other Comprehensive Income  Net actuarial loss $ 240,199 $ 250,581  Prior service cost 7,828 9,167  Total amount recognized $ 248,027 $ 259,748 
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income and Weighted Average Assumptions of Plans	   dollars in thousands 2018 2017 2016  Components of Net Periodic Pension  Benefit Cost  Service cost $ 5,716 $ 6,715 $ 5,343  Interest cost 35,503 36,230 36,505  Expected return on plan assets (59,188) (48,506) (51,562)  Amortization of prior service cost (credit) 1,340 1,340 (43)  Amortization of actuarial loss 9,826 7,397 6,163  Net periodic pension benefit cost (credit) $ (6,803) $ 3,176 $ (3,594)  Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit  Obligations Recognized in Other  Comprehensive Income  Net actuarial loss (gain) $ (555) $ 7,879 $ 33,682  Prior service cost 0 10,868 0  Reclassification of prior service (cost) credit (1,340) (1,340) 43  Reclassification of actuarial loss (9,826) (7,397) (6,163)  Amount recognized in other comprehensive  income $ (11,721) $ 10,010 $ 27,562  Amount recognized in net periodic pension  benefit cost and other comprehensive  income $ (18,524) $ 13,186 $ 23,968  Assumptions  Weighted-average assumptions used to  determine net periodic benefit cost for  years ended December 31  Discount rate — PBO 3.72% 4.29% 4.55%  Discount rate — service cost 3.90% 4.63% 4.68%  Discount rate — interest cost 3.35% 3.63% 3.79%  Expected return on plan assets 7.00% 7.00% 7.50%  Weighted-average assumptions used to  determine benefit obligation at  December 31  Discount rate 4.39% 3.72% 4.29% 
Fair values of Pension Plan Assets	Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2018     in thousands Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total  Asset Category  Debt funds $ 0 $ 168,953 $ 0 $ 168,953  Commodity funds 0 14,697 0 14,697  Equity funds 246 135,656 0 135,902  Investments in the fair value hierarchy $ 246 $ 319,306 $ 0 $ 319,552  Interest in common/collective trusts (at NAV) 462,566  Private partnerships (at NAV) 54,652  Total pension plan assets $ 836,770 Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2017     in thousands Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total  Asset Category  Debt funds $ 0 $ 178,512 $ 0 $ 178,512  Commodity funds 0 17,041 0 17,041  Equity funds 1,089 143,010 0 144,099  Investments in the fair value hierarchy $ 1,089 $ 338,563 $ 0 $ 339,652  Interest in common/collective trusts (at NAV) 416,397  Private partnerships (at NAV) 84,852  Total pension plan assets $ 840,901 
Employer Contributions for Plan	   in thousands Pension  Employer Contributions  2016 $ 9,576  2017 20,023  2018 109,631  2019 (estimated) 9,067 
Benefit Payments Which Reflect Expected Future Service, Expected to be Paid	   in thousands Pension  Estimated Future Benefit Payments  2019 $ 56,493  2020 57,191  2021 58,317  2022 59,705  2023 60,871  2024-2028 301,996 
Postretirement Benefits [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 2018 2017  Change in Benefit Obligation  Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 43,480 $ 45,546  Service cost 1,357 1,167  Interest cost 1,240 1,260  Actuarial loss 856 378  Benefits paid (6,099) (4,871)  Projected benefit obligation at end of year $ 40,834 $ 43,480  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 $ (40,834) $ (43,480)  Net amount recognized $ (40,834) $ (43,480)  Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated  Balance Sheets  Current liabilities $ (5,560) $ (5,624)  Noncurrent liabilities (35,274) (37,856)  Net amount recognized $ (40,834) $ (43,480)  Amounts Recognized in Accumulated  Other Comprehensive Income  Net actuarial gain $ (18,624) $ (20,757)  Prior service credit (11,494) (15,456)  Total amount recognized $ (30,118) $ (36,213) 
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income and Weighted Average Assumptions of Plans	   dollars in thousands 2018 2017 2016  Components of Net Periodic Postretirement  Benefit Cost  Service cost $ 1,358 $ 1,167 $ 1,123  Interest cost 1,240 1,260 1,209  Amortization of prior service credit (3,962) (4,236) (4,236)  Amortization of actuarial gain (1,298) (1,587) (1,751)  Net periodic postretirement benefit cost (credit) $ (2,662) $ (3,396) $ (3,655)  Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit  Obligations Recognized in Other  Comprehensive Income  Net actuarial loss (gain) $ 835 $ 342 $ (111)  Reclassification of prior service credit 3,962 4,236 4,236  Reclassification of actuarial gain 1,298 1,587 1,751  Amount recognized in other comprehensive  income $ 6,095 $ 6,165 $ 5,876  Amount recognized in net periodic  postretirement benefit cost and other  comprehensive income $ 3,433 $ 2,769 $ 2,221  Assumptions  Weighted-average assumptions used to  determine net periodic benefit cost for  years ended December 31  Discount rate — PBO 3.34% 3.59% 3.69%  Discount rate — service cost 3.56% 3.96% 3.77%  Discount rate — interest cost 2.90% 2.89% 2.81%  Weighted-average assumptions used to  determine benefit obligation at  December 31  Discount rate 4.01% 3.33% 3.58% 
Employer Contributions for Plan	   in thousands Postretirement  Employer Contributions  2016 $ 5,280  2017 4,871  2018 6,099  2019 (estimated) 5,561 
Benefit Payments Which Reflect Expected Future Service, Expected to be Paid	   in thousands Postretirement  Estimated Future Benefit Payments  2019 $ 5,561  2020 5,381  2021 5,077  2022 4,733  2023 4,523  2024–2028 17,168 
Contributions by Participants to Postretirement Benefit Plans	   in thousands Postretirement  Participants Contributions  2016 $ 2,085  2017 2,025  2018 1,984 

INCENTIVE PLANS (Tables)

INCENTIVE PLANS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Aggregate Values for Distributed Restricted Share Awards	   in thousands 2018 2017 2016  Aggregate value of distributed  restricted shares $ 1,345 $ 7,685 $ 0 
Weighted-Average Fair Value and Weighted-Average Assumptions Used in Estimating Fair Value of Grants	   2018 2017 2016  SOSARs  Fair value $ 43.72 $ 43.01 $ 29.20  Risk-free interest rate 2.90% 2.36% 1.66%  Dividend yield 1.39% 1.27% 1.39%  Volatility 31.49% 31.35% 30.42%  Expected term 9.00 years 9.00 years 9.00 years 
Aggregate Intrinsic Values of Options Exercised	   in thousands 2018 2017 2016  Aggregate intrinsic value of SOSARs exercised $ 49,248 $ 13,758 $ 27,705 
Cash and Stock Consideration Received and Tax Benefit Realized from SOSAR Exercises and Compensation Cost Recorded	   in thousands 2018 2017 2016  SOSARs  Cash and stock consideration received  from exercises $ 0 $ 0 $ 0  Tax benefit from exercises 19,083 5,331 10,767  Compensation cost 4,763 3,723 2,744 
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, 2018 498,979 $ 89.16  Granted 130,715 117.20  Vested (218,725) 74.85  Canceled/forfeited (60,291) 103.56  Nonvested at December 31, 2018 350,678 $ 106.06 
Aggregate Value of Performance Shares	   in thousands 2018 2017 2016  Aggregate value of distributed  performance shares $ 53,721 $ 52,368 $ 60,443 
Restricted Shares [Member]
Summary of Restricted Stock Units	   Weighted-average  Number Grant Date  of Shares Fair Value  Restricted Stock Units  Nonvested at January 1, 2018 109,302 $ 97.43  Granted 52,065 117.20  Vested (11,622) 100.35  Canceled/forfeited (4,366) 110.73  Nonvested at December 31, 2018 145,379 $ 103.88 
SOSARs [Member]
Summary of Our SOSAR Activity	   Weighted-average  Remaining Aggregate  Number Weighted-average Contractual Intrinsic Value  of Shares Exercise Price Life (Years) (in thousands)  SOSARs  Outstanding at January 1, 2018 2,242,487 $ 52.95  Granted 82,800 121.69  Exercised (583,539) 45.71  Forfeited or expired (165) 79.41  Outstanding at December 31, 2018 1,741,583 $ 58.64 3.70 $ 72,276  Exercisable at December 31, 2018 1,518,900 $ 51.39 3.08 $ 71,284 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES [Abstract]
Commitments Due	   Unconditional  Purchase  in thousands Obligations  Property, Plant & Equipment  2019 $ 35,248  Thereafter 0  Total $ 35,248  Noncapital (primarily transportation and electricity contracts)  2019 $ 11,912  2020–2021 9,120  2022–2023 3,690  Thereafter 12,000  Total $ 36,722 
Minimum Royalties Under Mineral Leases	   Mineral  in thousands Leases  Minimum Royalties  2019 $ 23,211  2020–2021 36,630  2022–2023 26,014  Thereafter 154,720  Total $ 240,575 

EQUITY (Tables)

EQUITY (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
EQUITY [Abstract]
Shares Purchased and Retired	    in thousands, except average cost 2018 2017 2016  Shares Purchased and Retired  Number 1,192 510 1,427  Total purchase price $ 133,983 $ 60,303 $ 161,463  Average price per share $ 112.41 $ 118.18 $ 113.18 
Cash Dividends Per Share of Common Stock	   in thousands, except per share data 2018 2017 2016  Dividends  Cash dividends $ 148,109 $ 132,335 $ 106,333  Cash dividends per share $ 1.12 $ 1.00 $ 0.80 

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Tab

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax	   in thousands 2018 2017 2016  AOCI  Interest rate hedges $ (11,180) $ (11,438) $ (13,300)  Pension and postretirement plans (161,035) (138,028) (126,076)  Total $ (172,215) $ (149,466) $ (139,376) 
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax	   Pension and  Interest Rate Postretirement  in thousands Hedges Benefit Plans Total  AOCI  Balances at 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)  Balances at December 31, 2016 $ (13,300) $ (126,076) $ (139,376)  Other comprehensive income (loss)  before reclassifications 0 (14,106) (14,106)  Amounts reclassified from AOCI 1,862 2,154 4,016  Net OCI changes 1,862 (11,952) (10,090)  Balances at December 31, 2017 $ (11,438) $ (138,028) $ (149,466)  Released stranded tax effects ASU 2018-02 (Note 9) (2,464) (27,165) (29,629)  Balances at January 1, 2018, due to reclassification $ (13,902) $ (165,193) $ (179,095)  Other comprehensive income (loss)  before reclassifications 2,496 (207) 2,289  Amounts reclassified from AOCI 226 4,365 4,591  Net OCI changes 2,722 4,158 6,880  Balances at December 31, 2018 $ (11,180) $ (161,035) $ (172,215) 
Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income to Earnings	   in thousands 2018 2017 2016  Amortization of Interest Rate Hedge Losses  Interest expense $ 306 $ 3,070 $ 2,008  Benefit from income taxes (80) (1,208) (814)  Total $ 226 $ 1,862 $ 1,194  Amortization of Pension and Postretirement Plan  Actuarial Loss and Prior Service Cost  Other nonoperating income $ 5,906 $ 2,915 $ 134  Benefit from income taxes (1,541) (761) (52)  Total $ 4,365 $ 2,154 $ 82  Total reclassifications from AOCI to earnings $ 4,591 $ 4,016 $ 1,276

SEGMENT REPORTING (Tables)

SEGMENT REPORTING (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
SEGMENT REPORTING [Abstract]
Segment Financial Disclosure	   in thousands 2018 2017 2016  Total Revenues  Aggregates 1 $ 3,513,649 $ 3,096,094 $ 2,961,835  Asphalt 2 733,182 622,074 512,310  Concrete 401,999 417,745 330,125  Calcium 8,110 7,740 8,860  Segment sales $ 4,656,940 $ 4,143,653 $ 3,813,130  Aggregates intersegment sales (274,071) (253,357) (220,463)  Total revenues $ 4,382,869 $ 3,890,296 $ 3,592,667  Gross Profit  Aggregates 3 $ 991,858 $ 854,524 $ 863,811  Asphalt 3 56,480 91,313 96,608  Concrete 3 49,893 45,201 24,992  Calcium 2,714 2,475 3,474  Total $ 1,100,945 $ 993,513 $ 988,885  Depreciation, Depletion, Accretion and Amortization (DDA&A)  Aggregates $ 281,641 $ 245,151 $ 236,472  Asphalt 31,290 25,400 16,797  Concrete 12,539 13,822 12,129  Calcium 272 677 774  Other 20,504 20,915 18,768  Total $ 346,246 $ 305,965 $ 284,940  Capital Expenditures 4  Aggregates $ 422,175 $ 421,989 $ 297,737  Asphalt 38,154 12,970 29,002  Concrete 12,291 25,176 10,047  Calcium 22 78 534  Corporate 2,587 4,020 7,621  Total $ 475,229 $ 464,233 $ 344,941  Identifiable Assets 5  Aggregates $ 8,887,749 $ 8,409,505 $ 7,589,225  Asphalt 527,226 426,575 259,514  Concrete 266,581 271,818 192,673  Calcium 3,942 4,428 4,959  Total identifiable assets $ 9,685,498 $ 9,112,326 $ 8,046,371  General corporate assets 102,228 245,919 157,085  Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash 44,404 146,646 268,019  Total assets $ 9,832,130 $ 9,504,891 $ 8,471,475   1 Includes product sales, as well as freight & delivery costs that we pass along to our customers, and service revenues (see Note 2) related to aggregates. 2 Includes product sales, as well as service revenues (see Note 2) from our asphalt construction paving business. 3 The 2017 and 2016 amounts have been revised as a result of our adoption of ASU 2017-07 as described in Note 1 under the captions New Accounting Standards and Accounting Standards Recently Adopted. 4 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. 5 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 INFORM_2

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION [Abstract]
Supplemental Information Referable to Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	    in thousands 2018 2017 2016  Cash Payments  Interest (exclusive of amount capitalized) $ 128,217 $ 285,801 $ 135,039  Income taxes (65,968) 125,135 102,849  Noncash Investing and Financing Activities  Accrued liabilities for purchases of property,  plant & equipment $ 37,116 $ 31,267 $ 26,676  Amounts referable to business acquisitions  Liabilities assumed 1 5,405 3,876 798  Consideration payable to seller 4,500 9,681 0  Fair value of noncash assets and liabilities exchanged 0 9,900 0   1 The 2018 amount includes adjustments to 2017 acquisitions. 

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS (T

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS [Abstract]
Asset Retirement Obligations Operating Costs	   in thousands 2018 2017 2016  ARO Operating Costs  Accretion $ 10,776 $ 11,415 $ 11,059  Depreciation 6,034 6,302 6,353  Total $ 16,810 $ 17,717 $ 17,412 
Reconciliations of Asset Retirement Obligations	   in thousands 2018 2017  Asset Retirement Obligations  Balance at beginning of year $ 218,117 $ 223,872  Liabilities incurred 20 1,920  Liabilities settled (13,558) (21,477)  Accretion expense 10,776 11,415  Revisions, net 10,371 2,387  Balance at end of year $ 225,726 $ 218,117 

GOODWILL AND INTANTIBLE ASSETS

GOODWILL AND INTANTIBLE ASSETS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS [Abstract]
Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill by Reportable Segment	     in thousands Aggregates Asphalt Concrete Calcium Total  Goodwill  Totals at December 31, 2016 $ 3,003,191 $ 91,633 $ 0 $ 0 $ 3,094,824  Goodwill of acquired businesses 1 27,497 0 0 0 27,497  Totals at December 31, 2017 $ 3,030,688 $ 91,633 $ 0 $ 0 $ 3,122,321  Goodwill of acquired businesses 1 43,075 0 0 0 43,075  Totals at December 31, 2018 $ 3,073,763 $ 91,633 $ 0 $ 0 $ 3,165,396   1 See Note 19 for a summary of acquisitions . 
Gross Carrying Amount and Accumulated Amortization by Major Intangible Asset Class	   in thousands 2018 2017  Gross Carrying Amount  Contractual rights in place $ 1,107,838 $ 1,050,816  Noncompetition agreements 7,667 7,067  Favorable lease agreements 9,479 9,479  Permitting, permitting compliance and zoning rights 126,538 119,002  Other 1 4,517 4,616  Total gross carrying amount $ 1,256,039 $ 1,190,980  Accumulated Amortization  Contractual rights in place $ (122,100) $ (94,534)  Noncompetition agreements (4,212) (2,440)  Favorable lease agreements (3,533) (3,179)  Permitting, permitting compliance and zoning rights (27,464) (24,352)  Other 1 (3,352) (2,845)  Total accumulated amortization $ (160,661) $ (127,350)  Total Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization, net $ 1,095,378 $ 1,063,630  Intangible Assets with Indefinite Lives 0 0  Total Intangible Assets, net $ 1,095,378 $ 1,063,630  Amortization Expense for the Year $ 34,924 $ 23,765   1 Includes customer relationships and tradenames and trademarks. 
Estimated Amortization Expense	   in thousands  Estimated Amortization Expense for Five Subsequent Years  2019 $ 34,973  2020 33,698  2021 31,695  2022 29,146  2023 28,635 

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES (

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Significant Acquisitions And Disposals [Line Items]
Comprehensive Income Actual Results	   in thousands 2017  Actual Results  Total revenues $ 162,462  Net earnings 11,830 
Supplemental Pro Forma Results	   in thousands 2017 2016  Supplemental Pro Forma Results  Total revenues $ 4,015,891 $ 3,882,257  Net earnings 610,494 433,431 
Acquisitions 2018 [Member]
Significant Acquisitions And Disposals [Line Items]
Schedule of Business Acquisitions	   in thousands 2018  Fair Value of Purchase Consideration  Cash $ 215,363  Payable to seller 4,500  Total fair value of purchase consideration $ 219,863  Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed  Accounts and notes receivable, net $ 15,402  Inventories 11,874  Other current assets 661  Property, plant & equipment 150,274  Other intangible assets  Contractual rights in place 44,163  Deferred income taxes, net (32,871)  Liabilities assumed (11,965)  Net identifiable assets acquired $ 177,538  Goodwill $ 42,325 
Acquisitions 2017 [Member]
Significant Acquisitions And Disposals [Line Items]
Schedule of Business Acquisitions	   in thousands 2017  Fair Value of Purchase Consideration  Cash $ 1,072,978  Payable to seller 7,837  Total fair value of purchase consideration $ 1,080,815  Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed  Accounts and notes receivable, net $ 14,955  Inventories 21,679  Other current assets 608  Investments 3,590  Property, plant & equipment 433,606  Other intangible assets  Contractual rights in place 295,482  Liabilities assumed (3,894)  Net identifiable assets acquired and retained $ 766,026  Goodwill $ 27,497  Net Assets Divested Immediately Upon Acquisition $ 287,292 

UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (T

UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTARY DATA [Abstract]
Summary of Selected Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)	   2018  Three Months Ended  in thousands, except per share data March 31 June 30 Sept 30 Dec 31  Total revenues $ 854,474 $ 1,200,151 $ 1,240,197 $ 1,088,047  Gross profit 159,334 323,184 343,142 275,285  Operating earnings 81,195 230,843 249,184 186,491  Earnings from continuing operations 53,395 160,302 179,864 124,280  Net earnings 52,979 159,652 179,151 124,023  Basic earnings per share from continuing operations $ 0.40 $ 1.21 $ 1.36 $ 0.94  Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations $ 0.40 $ 1.20 $ 1.34 $ 0.93  Basic net earnings per share $ 0.40 $ 1.21 $ 1.35 $ 0.94  Diluted net earnings per share $ 0.39 $ 1.19 $ 1.34 $ 0.93      2017  Three Months Ended  in thousands, except per share data March 31 June 30 Sept 30 Dec 31  Total revenues $ 787,328 $ 1,030,763 $ 1,094,715 $ 977,490  Gross profit 158,221 290,017 303,758 241,517  Operating earnings 70,388 191,976 227,478 149,202  Earnings from continuing operations 43,523 111,749 110,150 327,969  Net earnings 44,921 120,139 108,579 327,546  Basic earnings per share from continuing operations $ 0.33 $ 0.84 $ 0.83 $ 2.47  Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations $ 0.32 $ 0.83 $ 0.82 $ 2.43  Basic net earnings per share $ 0.34 $ 0.91 $ 0.82 $ 2.47  Diluted net earnings per share $ 0.33 $ 0.89 $ 0.81 $ 2.43 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_4

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)stateitemsegmentfactor	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)
Change in Accounting Estimate [Line Items]
State of incorporation		New Jersey
Number of states | state		20
Number of demographic factors | factor		3
Revenues from discontinued operations		$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Income tax receivables		922	106,980
Bad debt expense		251	812	(1,190)
Write-offs of accounts receivables		1,291	1,384	1,544
Capitalized software costs		4,155	4,446
Capitalized software costs during the year		$ 2,213	1,988	152
Number of Rabbi Trust estabished | item		2
Net gains (losses) of the Rabbi Trust investments		$ (2,741)	2,441	2,741
Unrealized net gains (losses) of the Rabbi Trust investments		(4,386)	(3,618)	1,599
Loss on impairment of long-lived assets			0	10,506
Goodwill		$ 3,165,396	$ 3,122,321	3,094,824
Percentage of goodwill in total assets		32.00%	33.00%
Percentage of net property, plant & equipment in total assets		43.00%
Number of operating segments | segment		4
Number of Reporting Units | item		17
Percentage of net other intangible assets in total assets		11.00%
Stripping costs		$ 78,911	$ 65,944	55,987
Capitalized pre-production stripping costs		95,800	81,241
Asset Retirement Obligation		225,726	218,117	223,872
Spread between the amount accrued and the maximum environmental loss		3,105
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%
Goodwill impairment charges		$ 0	0	0
Reclassification of stranded tax effects			$ (29,629)
Expected return on plan assets		7.00%	7.00%
Goodwill [Member]
Change in Accounting Estimate [Line Items]
Number of Reporting Units | item		9
Accounting Standards Update 2016-09 [Member]
Change in Accounting Estimate [Line Items]
Tax reduction from net excess tax benefits from share based compensation		$ 20,137	$ 22,962	24,847
ASU 2017-07 [Member]
Change in Accounting Estimate [Line Items]
All other components		16,539	8,102	$ 13,715
Accounting Standards Update 2018-02 [Member]
Change in Accounting Estimate [Line Items]
Reclassification of stranded tax effects		$ 29,629
Minimum [Member] | Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Change in Accounting Estimate [Line Items]
Estimated service lives		3 years
Minimum [Member] | Buildings [Member]
Change in Accounting Estimate [Line Items]
Estimated service lives		7 years
Minimum [Member] | Land Improvements [Member]
Change in Accounting Estimate [Line Items]
Estimated service lives		8 years
Maximum [Member] | Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Change in Accounting Estimate [Line Items]
Estimated service lives		35 years
Maximum [Member] | Buildings [Member]
Change in Accounting Estimate [Line Items]
Estimated service lives		20 years
Maximum [Member] | Land Improvements [Member]
Change in Accounting Estimate [Line Items]
Estimated service lives		20 years
Tax Year 2017 [Member]
Change in Accounting Estimate [Line Items]
Income tax receivables			$ 106,000
Forecast [Member]
Change in Accounting Estimate [Line Items]
Expected return on plan assets	5.75%
Subsequent Event [Member] | ASU 2016-02 [Member]
Change in Accounting Estimate [Line Items]
Operating Lease, Liability, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]					us-gaap:Liabilities
Operating Lease, Liability					$ 430,000

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_5

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Results from Discontinued Operations) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS [Abstract]
Pretax earnings (loss)	$ (2,748)	$ 12,959	$ (4,877)
Income tax (expense) benefit	712	(5,165)	1,962
Earnings (loss) on discontinued operations, net of tax	$ (2,036)	$ 7,794	$ (2,915)

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_6

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Depreciation, Depletion, Accretion and Amortization Expense) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]
Depreciation	$ 276,814	$ 250,835	$ 238,237
Depletion	23,260	19,342	17,812
Accretion	10,776	11,415	11,059
Amortization of leaseholds	472	608	267
Amortization of intangible	34,924	23,765	17,565
Total	$ 346,246	$ 305,965	$ 284,940

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_7

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Fair Value Measurement on Recurring Basis) (Details) - Recurring [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total	$ 19,164	$ 20,348
Level 1 [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total	19,164	20,348
Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total	1,015	1,203
Level 2 [Member] | Money Market Mutual Fund [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total	$ 1,015	$ 1,203

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_8

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Liabilities Under Self-Insurance Program) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]
Self-insured liabilities (undiscounted)	$ 68,912	$ 58,216
Insured liabilities (undiscounted)	$ 4,377	$ 7,892
Discount Rate	2.93%	1.93%
Other accounts and notes receivables	$ 631	$ 6,158
Investments and long-term receivables	3,932	7,246
Other current liabilities	(18,466)	(20,036)
Other noncurrent liabilities	(48,049)	(41,792)
Net liabilities (discounted)	$ (61,952)	$ (48,424)

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_9

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Estimated Payments (Undiscounted) Under Self-Insurance Program) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]
2,019	$ 20,529
2,020	15,232
2,021	11,615
2,022	6,360
2,023	$ 3,665

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOU_10

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Unrecognized Compensation Expense) (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized Compensation Expense, Total/weighted-average	$ 23,724
Expected Weighted-average Recognition (Years)	1 year 7 months 6 days
SOSARs [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized Compensation Expense, SOSARs	$ 3,376	[1]
Expected Weighted-average Recognition (Years)	1 year 4 months 24 days	[1]
Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized Compensation Expense, shares	$ 14,250
Expected Weighted-average Recognition (Years)	1 year 7 months 6 days
Restricted Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized Compensation Expense, shares	$ 6,098
Expected Weighted-average Recognition (Years)	1 year 8 months 12 days
[1]	Stock-Only Stock Appreciation Rights (SOSARs)

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOU_11

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Pretax Compensation Expense) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Income tax benefits	$ 5,940	$ 6,226	$ 6,925
Performance Shares, Restricted Stock Units, And Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Pretax compensation expense	$ 23,250	$ 24,367	$ 17,823

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOU_12

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Weighted-Average Common Shares Outstanding Assuming Dilution) (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	132,393	132,513	133,205
Dilutive effect of SOSARs	963	1,295	1,339
Dilutive effect of Other stock compensation plans	570	1,070	1,246
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, assuming dilution	133,926	134,878	135,790

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOU_13

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Antidilutive Common Stock Equivalents) (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]
Antidilutive common stock equivalents	162	79	97

REVENUES (Narrative) (Details)

REVENUES (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

24 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)

Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2018USD ($)

Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)

Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)

Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)item

Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)

Revenue Recognition [Line Items]

Proceeds from sale of future production

$ 226,926

Revenues

$ 1,088,047

$ 1,240,197

$ 1,200,151

$ 854,474

$ 977,490

$ 1,094,715

$ 1,030,763

$ 787,328

$ 4,382,869

[1]

$ 3,890,296

[1]

$ 3,592,667

[1]

Number of quarries | item

8

Term of the VPPs

25 years

Service [Member]

Revenue Recognition [Line Items]

Revenues

$ 198,897

113,422

42,904

Minimum [Member]

Revenue Recognition [Line Items]

Coverage of warranty provisions

9 months

Maximum [Member]

Revenue Recognition [Line Items]

Coverage of warranty provisions

1 year

Maximum [Member] | Construction Paving [Member]

Revenue Recognition [Line Items]

Costs for paving contracts expense, expected amortization period

1 year

Forecast [Member]

Revenue Recognition [Line Items]

Estimated deferred revenue to be recognized in the next 12 months

$ 7,500

Aggregates [Member]

Revenue Recognition [Line Items]

Revenues

[1]

$ 3,239,578

$ 2,842,737

$ 2,741,372

Aggregates [Member] | Minimum [Member]

Revenue Recognition [Line Items]

Percent of shipments used for publicly funded construction

45.00%

Aggregates [Member] | Maximum [Member]

Revenue Recognition [Line Items]

Percent of shipments used for publicly funded construction

55.00%

[1]

The geographic markets are defined by states/countries as follows:East market - Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington D.C.Gulf Coast market - Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mexico, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and the BahamasWest market - Arizona, California and New Mexico

REVENUES (Revenues by Geographi

REVENUES (Revenues by Geographic Market) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018		Dec. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues		$ 1,088,047	$ 1,240,197	$ 1,200,151	$ 854,474	$ 977,490	$ 1,094,715	$ 1,030,763	$ 787,328	$ 4,382,869	[1]	$ 3,890,296	[1]	$ 3,592,667	[1]
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues	[1]									4,656,940		4,143,653		3,813,130
Intersegment Sales [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues	[1]									(274,071)		(253,357)		(220,463)
East [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues	[1]									1,523,330		1,402,923		1,198,293
Gulf Coast [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues	[1]									2,033,447		1,703,272		1,707,910
West [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues	[1]									1,100,163		1,037,458		906,927
Aggregates [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues	[1]									3,239,578		2,842,737		2,741,372
Aggregates [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues	[1],[2]									3,513,649		3,096,094		2,961,835
Aggregates [Member] | Intersegment Sales [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues	[1]									(274,071)		(253,357)		(220,463)
Aggregates [Member] | East [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues	[1]									1,109,489		1,045,682		994,559
Aggregates [Member] | Gulf Coast [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues	[1]									1,821,853		1,512,505		1,497,762
Aggregates [Member] | West [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues	[1]									582,307		537,907		469,514
Asphalt [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues	[1]									733,182		622,074		512,310
Asphalt [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues	[1]									733,182		622,074		512,310
Asphalt [Member] | Intersegment Sales [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues	[1]									0		0		0
Asphalt [Member] | East [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues	[1]									156,591		112,673		0
Asphalt [Member] | Gulf Coast [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues	[1]									131,745		80,311		102,035
Asphalt [Member] | West [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues	[1]									444,846		429,090		410,275
Concrete [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues	[1]									401,999		417,745		330,125
Concrete [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues	[1]									401,999		417,745		330,125
Concrete [Member] | Intersegment Sales [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues	[1]									0		0		0
Concrete [Member] | East [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues	[1]									257,250		244,568		203,734
Concrete [Member] | Gulf Coast [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues	[1]									71,739		102,716		99,253
Concrete [Member] | West [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues	[1]									73,010		70,461		27,138
Calcium [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues	[1]									8,110		7,740		8,860
Calcium [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues	[1]									8,110		7,740		8,860
Calcium [Member] | Intersegment Sales [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues	[1]									0		0		0
Calcium [Member] | East [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues	[1]									0		0		0
Calcium [Member] | Gulf Coast [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues	[1]									8,110		7,740		8,860
Calcium [Member] | West [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues	[1]									$ 0		$ 0		$ 0
[1]	The geographic markets are defined by states/countries as follows:East market - Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington D.C.Gulf Coast market - Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mexico, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and the BahamasWest market - Arizona, California and New Mexico
[2]	Includes product sales, as well as freight & delivery costs that we pass along to our customers, and service revenues (see Note 2) related to aggregates.

REVENUES (Freight & Delivery Re

REVENUES (Freight & Delivery Revenues) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Sep. 30, 2018

Jun. 30, 2018

Mar. 31, 2018

Dec. 31, 2017

Sep. 30, 2017

Jun. 30, 2017

Mar. 31, 2017

Dec. 31, 2018

Dec. 31, 2017

Dec. 31, 2016

Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]

Total revenues

$ 1,088,047

$ 1,240,197

$ 1,200,151

$ 854,474

$ 977,490

$ 1,094,715

$ 1,030,763

$ 787,328

$ 4,382,869

[1]

$ 3,890,296

[1]

$ 3,592,667

[1]

Freight & Delivery Revenues [Member]

Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]

Total revenues

[2]

(641,815)

(528,916)

(535,929)

Total Revenues Excluding Freight & Delivery [Member]

Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]

Total revenues

$ 3,741,054

$ 3,361,380

$ 3,056,738

[1]

The geographic markets are defined by states/countries as follows:East market - Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington D.C.Gulf Coast market - Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mexico, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and the BahamasWest market - Arizona, California and New Mexico

[2]

Includes freight & delivery to remote distribution sites.

REVENUES (Reconciliation of Def

REVENUES (Reconciliation of Deferred Revenue Balances) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
REVENUES [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 199,556	$ 206,468	$ 214,060
Revenue recognized from deferred revenue	(6,773)	(6,912)	(7,592)
Balance at end of year	$ 192,783	$ 199,556	$ 206,468

INVENTORIES (Narrative) (Detail

INVENTORIES (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
INVENTORIES [Abstract]
Inventory classified as long-term assets (other noncurrent assets)	$ 9,980	$ 11,810
Inventories valued under the LIFO method	308,257	252,808
Decrease in cost of revenues due to the effect of the LIFO liquidation	132	2,714	$ 3,956
Increase in net earnings due to the effect of the LIFO liquidation	99	1,662	2,419
Excess of estimated current cost over LIFO cost	175,844	168,829
Approximate effect on net earnings due to the adoption of the LIFO method	$ 5,223	$ 8,092	$ (8,338)

INVENTORIES (Inventories) (Deta

INVENTORIES (Inventories) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
INVENTORIES [Abstract]
Finished products	[1]	$ 372,604	$ 327,711
Raw materials		27,942	27,152
Products in process		3,064	1,827
Operating supplies and other		25,720	27,648
Total		429,330	384,338
Encumbered inventories		$ 3,230	$ 2,808
[1]	Includes inventories encumbered by volumetric production payments (see Note 2), as follows: December 31, 2018 - $3,230 thousand and December 31, 2017 - $2,808 thousand.

PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT (Pr

PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT (Property, Plant and Equipment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total, gross		$ 8,457,619	$ 7,969,312
Less allowances for depreciation, depletion and amortization		4,220,312	4,050,381
Total, net		4,237,307	3,918,931
Land and Land Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total, gross	[1]	2,823,092	2,742,285
Buildings [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total, gross		139,948	135,655
Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total, gross		5,106,918	4,740,212
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total, gross		18,217	17,354
Deferred Asset Retirement Costs [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total, gross		183,324	172,631
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total, gross		186,120	161,175
Depletable Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total, gross		$ 1,626,899	$ 1,606,303
[1]	Includes depletable land, as follows: December 31, 2018 - $1,626,899 thousand and December 31, 2017 - $1,606,303 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, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT [Abstract]
Capitalized interest cost	$ 3,674	$ 5,177	$ 7,468
Total interest cost incurred before recognition of the capitalized amount	$ 141,651	$ 300,699	$ 141,544

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS (Narrati

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2016
Derivative [Line Items]
Estimated amount of pretax loss in AOCI reclassified to earnings for the next 12-month period		$ 308
Interest rate hedges	$ (11,438)	$ (11,180)	$ (13,300)
Debt [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Loss reclassified from AOCI	$ 1,405

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, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Loss reclassified from AOCI (effective portion)	$ (306)	$ (3,070)	$ (2,008)

DEBT (Narrative) (Details)

DEBT (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)		1 Months Ended							3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2018	Feb. 28, 2018	Jan. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Discounts and debt issuance costs										$ 5,161,000	$ 9,808,000
Total long-term debt - face value					$ 2,881,529,000					2,846,396,000	2,881,529,000
Long term debt					2,854,865,000					2,779,380,000	2,854,865,000
Total short-term debt					0					133,000,000	0
Repayments of long term debt						$ 565,560,000				$ 892,055,000	1,463,308,000	$ 130,000
Net proceeds			$ 846,029,000
Net noncash expense					4,228,000	3,029,000					7,257,000
Net noncash expense									$ 466,000
Premium for repayments of debt						43,020,000			5,608,000		139,187,000
Transaction costs for repayments of debt						$ 28,000			1,314,000		1,586,000
Combined charge, component of interest expense									$ 7,388,000		148,030,000
Term Loan Due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt - face value					350,000,000						350,000,000
Total short-term debt					350,000,000						350,000,000
Debt issued, term										6 months
3.90% notes due 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Net proceeds								$ 345,450,000
7.50% notes due 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face value					564,889,000						564,889,000
Repayments of debt					662,613,000
Premium for repayments of debt					96,167,000
Transaction costs for repayments of debt					1,558,000
Bank Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity										$ 750,000,000
Commitment fee										0.15%
Available borrowing capacity										$ 572,021,000
Total long-term debt - face value					235,000,000						235,000,000
Borrowings										$ 133,000,000
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										$ 44,979,000
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%
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%
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%
Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt - face value										$ 2,846,396,000
Face value							$ 1,000,000,000
Net proceeds							989,512,000
Notes [Member] | 3.90% notes due 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt - face value					400,000,000					$ 400,000,000	400,000,000
Maturity year										2,027
Face value							$ 400,000,000
Interest rate							3.90%	3.90%		3.90%
Notes [Member] | 3.90% notes due 2027 [Member] | June 2017 Issuance [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face value							$ 50,000,000
Notes [Member] | 3.90% notes due 2027 [Member] | March 2017 Issuance [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face value								$ 350,000,000
Notes [Member] | Term loan due 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt - face value							250,000,000
Notes [Member] | Term Loan Due 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt - face value					250,000,000					$ 0	250,000,000
Maturity year										2,021
Notes [Member] | Investment-Grade Type Covenants Governed [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt - face value										$ 2,846,188,000
Notes [Member] | 4.50% notes due 2047 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt - face value					700,000,000					$ 700,000,000	700,000,000
Maturity year										2,047
Face value							$ 700,000,000
Interest rate							4.50%			4.50%
Notes [Member] | 4.50% notes due 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt - face value					400,000,000					$ 400,000,000	400,000,000
Maturity year										2,025
Interest rate										4.50%
Notes [Member] | Floating-Rate Notes Due 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt - face value					250,000,000					$ 250,000,000	250,000,000
Maturity year										2,020
Face value							$ 250,000,000
Notes [Member] | 10.375% notes due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt - face value							$ 250,000,000
Interest rate							10.375%
Notes [Member] | 7.00% notes due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt - face value							$ 272,512,000
Interest rate							7.00%
Notes [Member] | 7.50% notes due 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt - face value					35,111,000					$ 0	35,111,000
Maturity year										2,021
Repayments of long term debt				$ 40,719,000
Face value				$ 35,111,000
Interest rate				7.50%						7.50%
Net noncash expense				$ 263,000
Premium for repayments of debt				$ 5,608,000
Notes [Member] | 4.70% notes due 2048 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt - face value					0					$ 460,949,000	0
Maturity year										2,048
Face value			$ 350,000,000
Interest rate			4.70%							4.70%
Net noncash expense			$ 203,000
Premium for repayments of debt		$ 38,164,000
Notes [Member] | Floating-Rate Notes Due 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt - face value					0					$ 500,000,000	0		$ 600,000,000
Maturity year										2,021
Face value			$ 500,000,000
Interest rate													7.50%
Notes [Member] | 7.15% notes due 2037 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt - face value					240,188,000					$ 129,239,000	240,188,000
Maturity year										2,037
Repayments of long term debt		110,949,000
Interest rate										7.15%
Transaction costs for repayments of debt		$ 1,314,000
Bank Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity date										Dec. 31, 2021
Total long-term debt - face value	[1]				$ 250,000,000					$ 0	$ 250,000,000
[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 if we have the intent and ability to extend payment beyond twelve months.

DEBT (Debt) (Details)

DEBT (Debt) (Details) - USD ($)		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2018	Feb. 28, 2018	Jan. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total short-term debt		$ 133,000,000			$ 0
Total long-term debt - face value		2,846,396,000			2,881,529,000
Unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs		(67,016,000)			(26,664,000)
Total long-term debt - book value		2,779,380,000			2,854,865,000
Less current maturities		23,000			41,383,000
Total long-term debt - reported value		2,779,357,000			2,813,482,000
Estimated fair value of long-term debt		2,695,802,000			2,983,419,000
Bank Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total short-term debt	[1],[2]	$ 133,000,000			0
Maturity date		Dec. 31, 2021
Effective interest rate	[1],[2]	1.25%
Bank Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt - face value	[1]	$ 0			250,000,000
Maturity date		Dec. 31, 2021
Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt - face value		$ 2,846,396,000
Notes [Member] | Term Loan Due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt - face value	[3]	$ 0			350,000,000
Maturity year		2,018
Notes [Member] | Floating-Rate Notes Due 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt - face value		$ 250,000,000			250,000,000
Maturity year		2,020
Effective interest rate		3.50%
Notes [Member] | Floating-Rate Notes Due 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt - face value		$ 500,000,000			0	$ 600,000,000
Interest rate						7.50%
Maturity year		2,021
Effective interest rate		3.71%
Notes [Member] | 7.50% notes due 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt - face value		$ 0			35,111,000
Interest rate		7.50%		7.50%
Maturity year		2,021
Notes [Member] | 8.85% notes due 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt - face value		$ 6,000,000			6,000,000
Interest rate		8.85%
Maturity year		2,021
Effective interest rate		8.88%
Notes [Member] | Term loan due 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt - face value							$ 250,000,000
Notes [Member] | Term Loan Due 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt - face value		$ 0			250,000,000
Maturity year		2,021
Notes [Member] | 4.50% notes due 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt - face value		$ 400,000,000			400,000,000
Interest rate		4.50%
Maturity year		2,025
Effective interest rate		4.65%
Notes [Member] | 3.90% notes due 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt - face value		$ 400,000,000			400,000,000
Interest rate		3.90%					3.90%	3.90%
Maturity year		2,027
Effective interest rate		4.00%
Notes [Member] | 7.15% notes due 2037 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt - face value		$ 129,239,000			240,188,000
Interest rate		7.15%
Maturity year		2,037
Effective interest rate		8.05%
Notes [Member] | 4.50% notes due 2047 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt - face value		$ 700,000,000			700,000,000
Interest rate		4.50%					4.50%
Maturity year		2,047
Effective interest rate		4.59%
Notes [Member] | 4.70% notes due 2048 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt - face value		$ 460,949,000			0
Interest rate		4.70%	4.70%
Maturity year		2,048
Effective interest rate		5.42%
Other Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt - face value		$ 208,000			$ 230,000
Effective interest rate		6.46%
[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 if we have the intent and ability to extend payment beyond twelve months.
[2]	The effective interest rate reflects the margin above LIBOR for LIBOR-based borrowings. We also paid upfront fees that are amortized to interest expense and pay fees for unused borrowing capacity and standby letters of credit.
[3]	This short-term loan was refinanced on a long-term basis in February 2018 as discussed below. Thus, it was classified as long-term debt as of December 31, 2017.

DEBT (Schedule of Principal and

DEBT (Schedule of Principal and Interest Debt Payments) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
DEBT [Abstract]
2019, Total	$ 121,629
2020, Total	366,366
2021, Total	606,312
2022, Total	96,041
2023, Total	96,041
2019, Principal	23
2020, Principal	250,025
2021, Principal	506,026
2022, Principal	28
2023, Principal	30
2019, Interest	121,606
2020, Interest	116,341
2021, Interest	100,286
2022, Interest	96,013
2023, Interest	$ 96,011

DEBT (Standby Letters of Credit

DEBT (Standby Letters of Credit) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Risk management insurance	$ 68,912	$ 58,216
Reclamation/restoration requirements	225,726	$ 218,117	$ 223,872
Standby Letters of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Risk management insurance	38,111
Reclamation/restoration requirements	6,868
Total	$ 44,979

OPERATING LEASES (Rental Expens

OPERATING LEASES (Rental Expense from Continuing Operations Under Nonmineral Operating Leases) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
OPERATING LEASES [Abstract]
Minimum rentals	$ 76,443	$ 59,536	$ 52,713
Contingent rentals (based principally on usage)	54,572	50,822	57,278
Total	$ 131,015	$ 110,358	$ 109,991

OPERATING LEASES (Future Minimu

OPERATING LEASES (Future Minimum Operating Lease Payments) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
OPERATING LEASES [Abstract]
2,019	$ 47,979
2,020	43,540
2,021	35,732
2,022	27,463
2,023	19,707
Thereafter	195,104
Total	$ 369,525

ACCRUED ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIA_3

ACCRUED ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION COSTS (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
ACCRUED ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION COSTS [Abstract]
Long-term portion of accrued environmental remediation costs	$ 13,597	$ 12,760

ACCRUED ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIA_4

ACCRUED ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION COSTS (Accrued Environmental Remediation Costs) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Accrued Environmental Remediation Costs	$ 50,430	$ 32,488
Continuing Operations [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Accrued Environmental Remediation Costs	39,745	21,784
Retained From Former Chemicals Business [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Accrued Environmental Remediation Costs	$ 10,685	$ 10,704

INCOME TAXES (Narrative) (Detai

INCOME TAXES (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
U.S. federal corporate income tax rate	21.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, percent of immediate deductibility of certain capital investments	100.00%
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, incomplete accounting, provisional expense, deferred tax assets, executive compensation		$ 1,403
State net operating loss carryforwards	$ 68,436	73,083
Income tax receivables	922	106,980
Interest and penalties recognized as income tax expense (benefit)	(1,477)	420	$ 266
Balance of accrued interest and penalties included in lliability for unrecognized income tax benefits	312	1,789	1,369
Unrecognized income tax benefits that would affect the effective tax rate if recognized	3,481	10,673	9,884
Tax Cuts And Jobs Act Of 2017, decrease to net deferred income tax liability	0	301,567	0
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, incomplete accounting, provisional transition tax, foreign repatriation	595	12,301	$ 0
Deferred income tax liability not recognized from undistributed U.S. federal income tax	0
Deferred income tax liability not recognized from undistributed foreign earnings	$ 0
Reclassification of stranded tax effects		(29,629)
Tax Year 2017 [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Income tax receivables		$ 106,000
Scenario, Plan [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
U.S. federal corporate income tax rate	21.00%
Alabama [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
State net operating loss carryforwards	$ 65,577
Alabama [Member] | State [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards, valuation allowance	$ 29,183
Alabama [Member] | State [Member] | Earliest Tax Year [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards expiration date	Dec. 31, 2023
Alabama [Member] | State [Member] | Latest Tax Year [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards expiration date	Dec. 31, 2032
Accounting Standards Update 2018-02 [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Reclassification of stranded tax effects	$ 29,629

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, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
INCOME TAXES [Abstract]
Domestic	$ 593,446	$ 346,668	$ 513,721
Foreign	29,844	14,648	33,536
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes	$ 623,290	$ 361,316	$ 547,257

INCOME TAXES (Provision (Benefi

INCOME TAXES (Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes from Continuing Operations) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
INCOME TAXES [Abstract]
Current, Federal	$ 21,111	$ (7,416)	$ 72,506
Current, State and local	15,127	4,661	14,774
Current, Foreign	4,278	3,109	6,974
Current, Total	40,516	354	94,254
Deferred, Federal	59,216	(202,184)	37,246
Deferred, State and local	8,369	(30,052)	(6,647)
Deferred, Foreign	(2,652)	(193)	(2)
Deferred, Total	64,933	(232,429)	30,597
Total income tax expense (benefit)	$ 105,449	$ (232,075)	$ 124,851

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, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
INCOME TAXES [Abstract]
Income tax expense at the federal statutory tax rate	$ 130,891	$ 126,461	$ 191,540
Statutory depletion	(21,733)	(28,995)	(32,230)
State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit	18,562	8,115	10,074
Share-based compensation	(16,551)	(20,740)	(22,443)
Uncertain tax positions	(6,402)	1,062	1,272
Revaluation - deferred tax balances	0	(301,567)	0
AL NOL valuation allowance release	0	(28,827)	(4,791)
U.S. production deduction	0	2,452	(8,790)
Transition Tax	595	12,301	0
Foreign tax credit carryforward	0	0	(6,513)
Other, net	87	(2,337)	(3,268)
Total income tax expense (benefit)	$ 105,449	$ (232,075)	$ 124,851
Income tax expense at the federal statutory tax rate	21.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Statutory depletion, Rate	(3.50%)	(8.00%)	(5.90%)
State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit, Rate	3.00%	2.20%	1.90%
Share-based compensation, Rate	(2.70%)	(5.70%)	(4.10%)
Undertain tax positions, Rate	1.00%	(0.30%)	(0.20%)
Revaluation - deferred tax balances, rate	0.00%	(83.50%)	0.00%
Al NOL valuation allowance release, Rate	0.00%	(8.00%)	(0.90%)
U.S. production deduction, Rate	(0.00%)	0.70%	(1.60%)
Foreign repatriation, Rate	0.10%	3.40%	0.00%
Foreign tax credit carryforwards, Rate	0.00%	0.00%	(1.20%)
Other, net, Rate	0.00%	(0.60%)	(0.60%)
Effective tax rate	16.90%	(64.20%)	22.80%

INCOME TAXES (Components of Net

INCOME TAXES (Components of Net Deferred Income Tax Liability) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
INCOME TAXES [Abstract]
Employee benefits	$ 24,407	$ 29,547
Incentive compensation	62,829	59,010
Asset retirement obligations & other reserves	55,822	47,116
State net operating losses	68,436	73,083
Federal credit carryforwards	0	51,284
Other	31,294	37,518
Total gross deferred tax assets	242,788	297,558
Valuation allowance	(29,680)	(29,723)
Total net deferred tax asset	213,108	267,835
Property, plant & equipment	510,604	490,459
Goodwill/other intangible assets	233,471	216,039
Other	36,316	25,418
Total deferred tax liabilities	780,391	731,916
Net deferred tax liability	$ 567,283	$ 464,081

INCOME TAXES (Changes in Unreco

INCOME TAXES (Changes in Unrecognized Income Tax Benefits) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
INCOME TAXES [Abstract]
Unrecognized tax benefits as of January 1	$ 11,643	$ 10,828	$ 8,447
Increases for tax positions related to Prior years	0	27	1,368
Increases for tax positions related to Current year	698	1,039	1,040
Decreases for tax positions related to Prior years	(655)	(204)	0
Settlements with taxing authorities	0	0	0
Expiration of applicable statute of limitations	(8,025)	(47)	(27)
Unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31	$ 3,661	$ 11,643	$ 10,828

BENEFIT PLANS (Narrative) (Deta

BENEFIT PLANS (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)employeeShareBasedCompensationPlanitem	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)item	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of defined contribution plans | ShareBasedCompensationPlan		2
Expected return on plan assets		7.00%	7.00%
Contributions to multiemployer pension plans		$ 10,081	$ 9,253	$ 10,435
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		8.50%
Percentage of domestic hourly labor force covered by collective bargaining agreements expiring in 2017		7.50%
Number of unfunded supplemental retirement plans | item		1	1
Accrued costs for supplemental retirement plan		$ 1,122	$ 1,252
Amount plan assets of Chemical Plan exceeds accumulated benefit obligation		6,525	5,346
Expense recognized related to defined contribution plans		$ 40,718	44,562	$ 45,295
Mexico [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of employees | employee		332
Forecast [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected return on plan assets	5.75%
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		$ 958,936	1,091,223	$ 1,006,674
Accumulated benefit obligation		958,899	$ 1,090,482
Estimated net actuarial loss expected to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income		4,933
Estimated prior service cost that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income		$ 1,339
Expected return on plan assets		7.00%	7.00%	7.50%
Employer contributions		$ 109,631	$ 20,023	$ 9,576
Estimated employer contribution in 2019		$ 9,067
Discount rate		4.39%	3.72%	4.29%
Estimated weighted-average discount rate to measure service cost		3.90%	4.63%
Estimated weighted-average discount rate to measure interest cost		3.35%	3.63%
Pension Benefits [Member] | Qualified Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discretionary qualified plan contribution		$ 100,000	$ 10,600
Employer contributions				$ 0
Pension Benefits [Member] | Nonqualified Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of unfunded, nonqualified pension plans | ShareBasedCompensationPlan		3
Projected benefit obligation		$ 71,435	82,136
Accumulated benefit obligation		71,435	82,136
Employer contributions		9,631	$ 9,423	9,576
Estimated employer contribution in 2019		$ 9,067
Pension Benefits [Member] | Return Seeking [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation ranges for plan assets		70.00%	80.00%
Change to new asset allocation percent		55.00%
Pension Benefits [Member] | Liability Hedge [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation ranges for plan assets		30.00%	20.00%
Change to new asset allocation percent		45.00%
Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Normal retirement age		65 years
Projected benefit obligation		$ 40,834	$ 43,480	$ 45,546
Estimated net actuarial loss expected to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income		(1,344)
Estimated prior service cost that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income		(3,919)
Estimated employer contribution in 2019		$ 5,561
Discount rate		4.01%	3.33%	3.58%
Estimated weighted-average discount rate to measure service cost		3.56%	3.96%
Estimated weighted-average discount rate to measure interest cost		2.90%	2.89%
Minimum [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate		3.92%	3.24%
Maximum [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate		4.47%	3.79%

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, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Change in Benefit Obligation
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year		$ 1,091,223	$ 1,006,674
Service cost		5,716	6,715	$ 5,343
Interest cost		35,503	36,230	36,505
Plan amendment	[1]	0	10,869
Actuarial (gain) loss		(118,827)	81,969
Benefits paid		(54,679)	(51,234)
Projected benefit obligation at end of year		958,936	1,091,223	1,006,674
Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year		840,901	749,515
Actual return on plan assets		(59,083)	122,597
Employer contributions		109,631	20,023	9,576
Benefits paid		(54,679)	(51,234)
Fair value of assets at end of year		836,770	840,901	$ 749,515
Funded status		(122,166)	(250,322)
Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Noncurrent assets		6,488	4,605
Current liabilities		(9,067)	(9,478)
Noncurrent liabilities		(119,587)	(245,449)
Net amount recognized		(122,166)	(250,322)
Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Net actuarial loss		240,199	250,581
Prior service cost		7,828	9,167
Total amount recognized		$ 248,027	$ 259,748
[1]	Effective January 2017, we amended the Construction Materials Hourly Plan to increase the multiplier for years of service.

BENEFIT PLANS (Combined Funde_2

BENEFIT PLANS (Combined Funded Status of Plans and their Reconciliation with Related Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Financial Statements II) (Details) - Postretirement Benefits [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Change in Benefit Obligation
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	$ 43,480	$ 45,546
Service cost	1,357	1,167	$ 1,123
Interest cost	1,240	1,260	1,209
Actuarial loss	856	378
Benefits paid	(6,099)	(4,871)	(5,280)
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	40,834	43,480	45,546
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	(40,834)	(43,480)
Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Current liabilities	(5,560)	(5,624)
Noncurrent liabilities	(35,274)	(37,856)
Net amount recognized	(40,834)	(43,480)
Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Net actuarial gain	(18,624)	(20,757)
Prior service credit	(11,494)	(15,456)
Total amount recognized	$ (30,118)	$ (36,213)

BENEFIT PLANS (Components of Ne

BENEFIT PLANS (Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost- Pension Benefits) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for years ended December 31
Expected return on plan assets	7.00%	7.00%
Pension Benefits [Member]
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
Service cost	$ 5,716	$ 6,715	$ 5,343
Interest cost	35,503	36,230	36,505
Expected return on plan assets	(59,188)	(48,506)	(51,562)
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	1,340	1,340	(43)
Amortization of actuarial loss	9,826	7,397	6,163
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)	(6,803)	3,176	(3,594)
Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income
Net actuarial loss (gain)	(555)	7,879	33,682
Prior service cost	0	10,868	0
Reclassification of prior service (cost) credit	(1,340)	(1,340)	43
Reclassification of actuarial loss	(9,826)	(7,397)	(6,163)
Amount recognized in other comprehensive income	(11,721)	10,010	27,562
Amount recognized in net periodic pension benefit cost and other comprehensive income	$ (18,524)	$ 13,186	$ 23,968
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for years ended December 31
Discount rate — PBO	3.72%	4.29%	4.55%
Discount rate — service cost	3.90%	4.63%	4.68%
Discount rate — interest cost	3.35%	3.63%	3.79%
Expected return on plan assets	7.00%	7.00%	7.50%
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligation at December 31
Discount rate	4.39%	3.72%	4.29%

BENEFIT PLANS (Components of _2

BENEFIT PLANS (Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost- Other Postretirement Benefits) (Details) - Postretirement Benefits [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
Service cost	$ 1,357	$ 1,167	$ 1,123
Service cost	1,358
Interest cost	1,240	1,260	1,209
Amortization of prior service credit	(3,962)	(4,236)	(4,236)
Amortization of actuarial gain	(1,298)	(1,587)	(1,751)
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)	(2,662)	(3,396)	(3,655)
Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income
Net actuarial loss (gain)	835	342	(111)
Reclassification of prior service credit	3,962	4,236	4,236
Reclassification of actuarial gain	1,298	1,587	1,751
Amount recognized in other comprehensive income	6,095	6,165	5,876
Amount recognized in net periodic pension benefit cost and other comprehensive income	$ 3,433	$ 2,769	$ 2,221
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for years ended December 31
Discount rate — PBO	3.34%	3.59%	3.69%
Discount rate — service cost	3.56%	3.96%	3.77%
Discount rate — interest cost	2.90%	2.89%	2.81%
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligation at December 31
Discount rate	4.01%	3.33%	3.58%

BENEFIT PLANS (Fair Values of P

BENEFIT PLANS (Fair Values of Pension Plan Assets) (Details) - Pension Benefits [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	$ 168,953	$ 178,512
Commodity Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	14,697	17,041
Equity Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	135,902	144,099
Investments In The Fair Value Hierarchy [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	319,552	339,652
Interest In Common/Collective Trusts [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	462,566	416,397
Private Partnerships [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	54,652	84,852
Total [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	836,770	840,901
Level 1 [Member] | Debt Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	0	0
Level 1 [Member] | Commodity Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	0	0
Level 1 [Member] | Equity Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	246	1,089
Level 1 [Member] | Investments In The Fair Value Hierarchy [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	246	1,089
Level 2 [Member] | Debt Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	168,953	178,512
Level 2 [Member] | Commodity Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	14,697	17,041
Level 2 [Member] | Equity Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	135,656	143,010
Level 2 [Member] | Investments In The Fair Value Hierarchy [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	319,306	338,563
Level 3 [Member] | Debt Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	0	0
Level 3 [Member] | Commodity Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	0	0
Level 3 [Member] | Equity Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	0	0
Level 3 [Member] | Investments In The Fair Value Hierarchy [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total pension plan assets	$ 0	$ 0

BENEFIT PLANS (Employer Contrib

BENEFIT PLANS (Employer Contributions for Plan) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer contributions	$ 6,099	$ 4,871	$ 5,280
2019 (estimated)	5,561
Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer contributions	109,631	20,023	$ 9,576
Employer contributions	54,679	$ 51,234
2019 (estimated)	$ 9,067

BENEFIT PLANS (Benefit Payments

BENEFIT PLANS (Benefit Payments Which Reflect Expected Future Service, Expected to be Paid) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
2,019	$ 56,493
2,020	57,191
2,021	58,317
2,022	59,705
2,023	60,871
2024-2028	301,996
Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
2,019	5,561
2,020	5,381
2,021	5,077
2,022	4,733
2,023	4,523
2024-2028	$ 17,168

BENEFIT PLANS (Contributions by

BENEFIT PLANS (Contributions by Participants to Postretirement Benefit Plans) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Participants Contributions	$ 1,984	$ 2,025	$ 2,085

INCENTIVE PLANS (Narrative) (De

INCENTIVE PLANS (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Officers And Key Employees [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expense provision under cash-based compensation plans	$ 36,969,000	$ 35,280,000	$ 46,758,000
Non-Incentive Eligible Employees [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expense provision under cash-based compensation plans		6,716,000
Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Pretax compensation expense	$ 13,656,000	$ 16,272,000	$ 12,074,000
Weighted-average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	$ 117.20	$ 117.49	$ 87.77
Share-based compensation plans vesting period (in years)	4 years
Performance Shares [Member] | 2018 And 2017 Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation plans vesting period (in years)	3 years
SOSARs [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Pretax compensation expense	$ 4,763,000	$ 3,723,000	$ 2,744,000
Share-based compensation plans vesting period (in years)	4 years
Share-based compensation plans expiration period (in years)	10 years
SOSARs [Member] | 2018 And 2017 Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation plans vesting period (in years)	3 years
Restricted Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Pretax compensation expense	$ 4,831,000	$ 4,371,000	$ 3,004,000
Weighted-average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	$ 117.20
Share-based compensation plans vesting period (in years)	4 years
Restricted Shares [Member] | 2018 And 2017 Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation plans vesting period (in years)	3 years
Restricted Shares [Member] | Executive Officer [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted-average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted		$ 117.49	$ 87.77
Deferred Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Pretax compensation expense	$ 1,965,000	$ 2,260,000	$ 2,848,000
Deferred Stock Units [Member] | 2015 Grants [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
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%
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/Restricted Share Units) (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Target Number of Shares, Beginning Balance	498,979
Target Number of Shares, Granted	130,715
Target Number of Shares, Vested	(218,725)
Target Number of Shares, Canceled/forfeited	(60,291)
Target Number of Shares, Ending Balance	350,678	498,979
Weighted-average Grant Date Fair Value, Beginning Balance	$ 89.16
Weighted-average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	117.20	$ 117.49	$ 87.77
Weighted-average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested	74.85
Weighted-average Grant Date Fair Value, Canceled/forfeited	103.56
Weighted-average Grant Date Fair Value, Ending Balance	$ 106.06	$ 89.16
Restricted Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Target Number of Shares, Beginning Balance	109,302
Target Number of Shares, Granted	52,065
Target Number of Shares, Vested	(11,622)
Target Number of Shares, Canceled/forfeited	(4,366)
Target Number of Shares, Ending Balance	145,379	109,302
Weighted-average Grant Date Fair Value, Beginning Balance	$ 97.43
Weighted-average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	117.20
Weighted-average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested	100.35
Weighted-average Grant Date Fair Value, Canceled/forfeited	110.73
Weighted-average Grant Date Fair Value, Ending Balance	$ 103.88	$ 97.43

INCENTIVE PLANS (Aggregate Valu

INCENTIVE PLANS (Aggregate Value of Performance Shares) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Aggregate value of distributed awards	$ 53,721	$ 52,368	$ 60,443
Restricted Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Aggregate value of distributed awards	$ 1,345	$ 7,685	$ 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, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
INCENTIVE PLANS [Abstract]
Fair value	$ 43.72	$ 43.01	$ 29.20
Risk-free interest rate	2.90%	2.36%	1.66%
Dividend yield	1.39%	1.27%	1.39%
Volatility	31.49%	31.35%	30.42%
Expected term	9 years	9 years	9 years

INCENTIVE PLANS (Summary of Our

INCENTIVE PLANS (Summary of Our SOSAR Activity) (Details) - SOSARs [Member] $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Shares, Outstanding at January 1, 2018 | shares	2,242,487
Number of Shares, Granted | shares	82,800
Number of Shares, Exercised | shares	(583,539)
Number of Shares, Forfeited or expired | shares	(165)
Number of Shares, Outstanding at December 31, 2018 | shares	1,741,583
Number of Shares, Exercisable at December 31, 2018 | shares	1,518,900
Weighted-average Exercise Price, Outstanding at January 1, 2018 | $ / shares	$ 52.95
Weighted-average Exercise Price, Granted | $ / shares	121.69
Weighted-average Exercise Price, Exercised | $ / shares	45.71
Weighted-average Exercise Price, Forfeited or expired | $ / shares	79.41
Weighted-average Exercise Price, Outstanding at December 31, 2018 | $ / shares	58.64
Weighted-average Exercise Price, Exercisable at December 31, 2018 | $ / shares	$ 51.39
Weighted-average Remaining Contractual Life (Years), Outstanding	3 years 8 months 12 days
Weighted-average Remaining Contractual Life (Years), Exercisable at December 31, 2018	3 years 29 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding at December 31, 2018 | $	$ 72,276
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable at December 31, 2018 | $	$ 71,284

INCENTIVE PLANS (Aggregate Intr

INCENTIVE PLANS (Aggregate Intrinsic Values of Options Exercised) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
SOSARs [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Aggregate intrinsic value of SOSARs exercised	$ 49,248	$ 13,758	$ 27,705

INCENTIVE PLANS (Cash and Stock

INCENTIVE PLANS (Cash and Stock Consideration Received and Tax Benefit Realized from SOSAR Exercises and Compensation Cost Recorded) (Details) - SOSARs [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Cash and stock consideration received from exercises	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Tax benefit from exercises	19,083	5,331	10,767
Compensation cost	$ 4,763	$ 3,723	$ 2,744

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES_2

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			24 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	May 31, 2007entitymi	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)item	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Expenditures under the noncapital purchase commitments				$ 56,674	$ 40,526	$ 60,591
Commitments of minimum royalties under mineral leases			$ 240,575	240,575			$ 240,575
Expenditures for mineral royalties under mineral leases				76,761	67,933	62,978
Asset Retirement Obligation	$ 218,117		225,726	225,726	218,117	223,872	225,726
Unrecognized tax benefits	$ 11,643		3,661	3,661	$ 11,643	$ 10,828	3,661	$ 8,447
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
Increase in accrual of liability for claims and litigation							34,271
Property, Plant and Equipment [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Unconditional purchase obligations			35,248	35,248			35,248
Recorded unconditional purchase obligation in 2018			35,248	35,248			35,248
Noncapital [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Unconditional purchase obligations			36,722	36,722			36,722
Recorded unconditional purchase obligation in 2018			11,912	$ 11,912			11,912
Parent Company [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Judge ruled allocation of fault among defendants, percentage	15.00%
New York Water District Cases [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of cases | item				11
NAFTA Arbitration [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Contingency loss				$ 0
Occidental Chemical Co [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Judge ruled allocation of fault among defendants, percentage	50.00%
Texas Brine [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Judge ruled allocation of fault among defendants, percentage	35.00%
Number of cases | item				2
Minimum [Member] | NAFTA Arbitration [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Arbitration period				2 years
Maximum [Member] | EPA [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Estimated implementation costs				$ 1,380,000
Standby Letters of Credit [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Outstanding standby letters of credit			44,979	44,979			$ 44,979
Hewitt Landfill Matter [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Increase in accrual of liability for claims and litigation			$ 10,392	$ 19,032

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES_3

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Commitments Due) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Property, Plant and Equipment [Member]
Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
2,019	$ 35,248
Thereafter	0
Total	35,248
Noncapital [Member]
Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
2,019	11,912
2020-2021	9,120
2022–2023	3,690
Thereafter	12,000
Total	$ 36,722

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES_4

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Minimum Royalties Under Mineral Leases) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES [Abstract]
2,019	$ 23,211
2020-2021	36,630
2022-2023	26,014
Thereafter	154,720
Total	$ 240,575

EQUITY (Narrative) (Details)

EQUITY (Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018item$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2017$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2016shares
EQUITY [Abstract]
Common stock, par value | $ / shares	$ 1	$ 1
Number of votes per common stock | item	1
Preferred stock, shares authorized	5,000,000
Preferred stock issued	0
Treasury Stock Shares	0	0	0
Shares remaining under the current authorization repurchase program	8,297,789

EQUITY (Shares Purchased and Re

EQUITY (Shares Purchased and Retired) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
EQUITY [Abstract]
Shares Purchased and Retired, Number	1,192	510	1,427
Shares Purchased and Retired, Total purchase price	$ 133,983	$ 60,303	$ 161,463
Shares Purchased and Retired, Average price per share	$ 112.41	$ 118.18	$ 113.18

EQUITY (Cash Dividends Per Shar

EQUITY (Cash Dividends Per Share of Common Stock) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
EQUITY [Abstract]
Cash dividends	$ 148,109	$ 132,335	$ 106,333
Cash dividends per share	$ 1.12	$ 1	$ 0.80

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Acc

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME [Abstract]
Interest rate hedges	$ (11,180)	$ (11,438)	$ (13,300)
Pension and postretirement plans	(161,035)	(138,028)	(126,076)
Total	$ (172,215)	$ (149,466)	$ (139,376)	$ (120,069)

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, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
AOCI, Beginning balance	$ (149,466)	$ (139,376)	$ (120,069)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	2,289	(14,106)	(20,583)
Released stranded tax effects ASU 2018-02 (Note 9)		(29,629)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	4,591	4,016	1,276
Other comprehensive income (loss)	6,880	(10,090)	(19,307)
Balances at January 1, 2018, due to reclassification		(179,095)
AOCI, Ending balance	(172,215)	(149,466)	(139,376)
Interest Rate Hedge Losses [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
AOCI, Beginning balance	(11,438)	(13,300)	(14,494)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	2,496	0	0
Released stranded tax effects ASU 2018-02 (Note 9)		(2,464)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	226	1,862	1,194
Other comprehensive income (loss)	2,722	1,862	1,194
Balances at January 1, 2018, due to reclassification		(13,902)
AOCI, Ending balance	(11,180)	(11,438)	(13,300)
Pension and Postretirement Plan Actuarial Loss and Prior Service Cost [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
AOCI, Beginning balance	(138,028)	(126,076)	(105,575)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(207)	(14,106)	(20,583)
Released stranded tax effects ASU 2018-02 (Note 9)		(27,165)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	4,365	2,154	82
Other comprehensive income (loss)	4,158	(11,952)	(20,501)
Balances at January 1, 2018, due to reclassification		(165,193)
AOCI, Ending balance	$ (161,035)	$ (138,028)	$ (126,076)

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, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest expense									$ 137,977	$ 295,522	$ 134,076
Other nonoperating income									13,000	13,357	14,624
Benefit from income taxes									105,449	(232,075)	124,851
Total	$ 124,023	$ 179,151	$ 159,652	$ 52,979	$ 327,546	$ 108,579	$ 120,139	$ 44,921	515,805	601,185	419,491
Reclassification From AOCI [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total									4,591	4,016	1,276
Interest Rate Hedge Losses [Member] | Reclassification From AOCI [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest expense									306	3,070	2,008
Benefit from income taxes									(80)	(1,208)	(814)
Total									226	1,862	1,194
Pension and Postretirement Plan Actuarial Loss and Prior Service Cost [Member] | Reclassification From AOCI [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other nonoperating income									5,906	2,915	134
Benefit from income taxes									(1,541)	(761)	(52)
Total									$ 4,365	$ 2,154	$ 82

SEGMENT REPORTING (Narrative) (

SEGMENT REPORTING (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2018USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)statesegmentmi		Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)		Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
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
Revenues		$ 1,088,047	$ 1,240,197	$ 1,200,151	$ 854,474	$ 977,490	$ 1,094,715	$ 1,030,763	$ 787,328	$ 4,382,869	[1]	$ 3,890,296	[1]	$ 3,592,667	[1]
Concrete [Member]
Number Of States In Which Segments Serve | state										5
Percentage of product weight attributable to Aggregates										80.00%
Revenues	[1]									$ 401,999		417,745		330,125
Aggregates [Member]
Number Of States In Which Segments Serve | state										20
Number Of Additional States Served | state										9
Revenues	[1]									$ 3,239,578		2,842,737		2,741,372
Equity method investments		39,395				22,967				$ 39,395		22,967		22,965
Asphalt [Member]
Number Of States In Which Segments Serve | state										6
Percentage of product weight attributable to Aggregates										95.00%
Revenues	[1]									$ 733,182		622,074		512,310
Asphalt [Member] | Asphalt Construction Paving [Member]
Number Of States In Which Segments Serve | state										3
United States [Member]
Revenues										$ 4,365,309		3,872,494		3,579,427
Nondomestic [Member]
Long-lived assets		$ 278,520				$ 211,282				278,520		211,282		188,652
Nondomestic [Member] | Aggregates [Member]
Revenues										17,560		17,802		13,240
Nondomestic [Member] | Asphalt, Concrete And Calcium [Member]
Revenues										$ 0		$ 0		$ 0
[1]	The geographic markets are defined by states/countries as follows:East market - Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington D.C.Gulf Coast market - Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mexico, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and the BahamasWest market - Arizona, California and New Mexico

SEGMENT REPORTING (Segment Fina

SEGMENT REPORTING (Segment Financial Disclosure) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018		Dec. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues		$ 1,088,047	$ 1,240,197	$ 1,200,151	$ 854,474	$ 977,490	$ 1,094,715	$ 1,030,763	$ 787,328	$ 4,382,869	[1]	$ 3,890,296	[1]	$ 3,592,667	[1]
Gross profit		275,285	$ 343,142	$ 323,184	$ 159,334	241,517	$ 303,758	$ 290,017	$ 158,221	1,100,945		993,513		988,885
Depreciation, Depletion, Accretion and Amortization (DDA&A)										346,246		305,965		284,940
Capital Expenditures	[2]									475,229		464,233		344,941
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash		44,404				146,646				44,404		146,646		268,019		$ 285,210
Total assets		9,832,130				9,504,891				9,832,130		9,504,891		8,471,475
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	[1]									4,656,940		4,143,653		3,813,130
Total assets	[3]	9,685,498				9,112,326				9,685,498		9,112,326		8,046,371
Intersegment Sales [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	[1]									(274,071)		(253,357)		(220,463)
Aggregates [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	[1]									3,239,578		2,842,737		2,741,372
Aggregates [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	[1],[4]									3,513,649		3,096,094		2,961,835
Gross profit	[5]									991,858		854,524		863,811
Depreciation, Depletion, Accretion and Amortization (DDA&A)										281,641		245,151		236,472
Capital Expenditures	[2]									422,175		421,989		297,737
Total assets	[3]	8,887,749				8,409,505				8,887,749		8,409,505		7,589,225
Aggregates [Member] | Intersegment Sales [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	[1]									(274,071)		(253,357)		(220,463)
Asphalt [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	[1]									733,182		622,074		512,310
Asphalt [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	[1]									733,182		622,074		512,310
Gross profit	[5]									56,480		91,313		96,608
Depreciation, Depletion, Accretion and Amortization (DDA&A)										31,290		25,400		16,797
Capital Expenditures	[2]									38,154		12,970		29,002
Total assets	[3]	527,226				426,575				527,226		426,575		259,514
Asphalt [Member] | Intersegment Sales [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	[1]									0		0		0
Concrete [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	[1]									401,999		417,745		330,125
Concrete [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	[1]									401,999		417,745		330,125
Gross profit	[5]									49,893		45,201		24,992
Depreciation, Depletion, Accretion and Amortization (DDA&A)										12,539		13,822		12,129
Capital Expenditures	[2]									12,291		25,176		10,047
Total assets	[3]	266,581				271,818				266,581		271,818		192,673
Concrete [Member] | Intersegment Sales [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	[1]									0		0		0
Calcium [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	[1]									8,110		7,740		8,860
Calcium [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	[1]									8,110		7,740		8,860
Gross profit										2,714		2,475		3,474
Depreciation, Depletion, Accretion and Amortization (DDA&A)										272		677		774
Capital Expenditures	[2]									22		78		534
Total assets	[3]	3,942				4,428				3,942		4,428		4,959
Calcium [Member] | Intersegment Sales [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	[1]									0		0		0
Other Segments [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation, Depletion, Accretion and Amortization (DDA&A)										20,504		20,915		18,768
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Capital Expenditures	[2]									2,587		4,020		7,621
Total assets		$ 102,228				$ 245,919				$ 102,228		$ 245,919		$ 157,085
[1]	The geographic markets are defined by states/countries as follows:East market - Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington D.C.Gulf Coast market - Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mexico, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and the BahamasWest market - Arizona, California and New Mexico
[2]	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.
[3]	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.
[4]	Includes product sales, as well as freight & delivery costs that we pass along to our customers, and service revenues (see Note 2) related to aggregates.
[5]	The 2017 and 2016 amounts have been revised as a result of our adoption of ASU 2017-07 as described in Note 1 under the captions New Accounting Standards and Accounting Standards Recently Adopted.

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORM_3

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION [Abstract]
Interest (exclusive of amount capitalized)		$ 128,217	$ 285,801	$ 135,039
Income taxes		(65,968)	125,135	102,849
Accrued liabilities for purchases of property, plant & equipment		37,116	31,267	26,676
Amounts referable to business acquisitions Liabilities assumed	[1]	5,405	3,876	798
Amounts referable to business acquisitions Consideration payable to seller		4,500	9,681	0
Fair value of noncash assets and liabilities exchanged		$ 0	$ 9,900	$ 0
[1]	The 2018 amount includes adjustments to 2017 acquisitions.

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS (N

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS (Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)aproperty	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Asset Retirement Obligations [Line Items]
Reclamation activities	$ 13,558,000	$ 21,477,000
California [Member]
Asset Retirement Obligations [Line Items]
Reclamation activities	$ 6,934,000	$ 11,578,000
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, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS [Abstract]
Accretion	$ 10,776	$ 11,415	$ 11,059
Depreciation	6,034	6,302	6,353
Total	$ 16,810	$ 17,717	$ 17,412

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS (R

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS (Reconciliations of Asset Retirement Obligations) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 218,117	$ 223,872
Liabilities incurred	20	1,920
Liabilities settled	(13,558)	(21,477)
Accretion expense	10,776	11,415	$ 11,059
Revisions, net	10,371	2,387
Balance at end of year	$ 225,726	$ 218,117	$ 223,872

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)segment	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment charges	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Number of Reportable Segments | segment	4
Other intangible assets, net, Impairment Charges	$ 0	$ 0
Calcium [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, accumulated impairment losses	$ 252,664
Aggregates [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Other intangible assets, net, Impairment Charges			$ 8,180

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSET_2

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill by Reportable Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning balance		$ 3,122,321	$ 3,094,824
Goodwill of acquired businesses	[1]	43,075	27,497
Goodwill, Ending balance		3,165,396	3,122,321
Aggregates [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning balance		3,030,688	3,003,191
Goodwill of acquired businesses	[1]	43,075	27,497
Goodwill, Ending balance		3,073,763	3,030,688
Asphalt [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning balance		91,633	91,633
Goodwill of acquired businesses	[1]	0	0
Goodwill, Ending balance		91,633	91,633
Concrete [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning balance		0	0
Goodwill of acquired businesses	[1]	0	0
Goodwill, Ending balance		0	0
Calcium [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning balance		0	0
Goodwill of acquired businesses	[1]	0	0
Goodwill, Ending balance		$ 0	$ 0
[1]	See Note 19 for a summary of acquisitions

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSET_3

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Gross Carrying Amount and Accumulated Amortization by Major Intangible Asset Class) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount		$ 1,256,039	$ 1,190,980
Accumulated amortization		(160,661)	(127,350)
Total Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization, net		1,095,378	1,063,630
Intangible Assets with Indefinite Lives		0	0
Total Intangible Assets, net		1,095,378	1,063,630
Amortization Expense for the Year		34,924	23,765	$ 17,565
Contractual Rights In Place [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount		1,107,838	1,050,816
Accumulated amortization		(122,100)	(94,534)
Noncompetition Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount		7,667	7,067
Accumulated amortization		(4,212)	(2,440)
Favorable Lease Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount		9,479	9,479
Accumulated amortization		(3,533)	(3,179)
Permitting, Permitting Compliance And Zoning Rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount		126,538	119,002
Accumulated amortization		(27,464)	(24,352)
Other Intangibles [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	[1]	4,517	4,616
Accumulated amortization	[1]	$ (3,352)	$ (2,845)
[1]	Includes customer relationships and tradenames and trademarks.

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSET_4

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Estimated Amortization Expense) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS [Abstract]
2,019	$ 34,973
2,020	33,698
2,021	31,695
2,022	29,146
2,023	$ 28,635

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES_2

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Consideration transferred, net of assets divested						$ 793,523
Total consideration					$ 219,863	1,080,815	$ 33,287
Cash consideration					221,419	1,109,725	32,537
Cash					215,363	1,072,978
Consideration payable amount					4,500		750
Goodwill	[1]				43,075	27,497
Deferred income taxes, net					32,871
Gain on sale of property, plant & equipment and businesses					14,944	17,827	15,431
Proceeds from sale of property, plant & equipment					22,210	15,756	23,318
Assets divested, Book Value			$ 0	$ 0	0	0	0
Aggregates USA [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Amount of assets divested			287,292			287,292
Gain on sale of property, plant & equipment and businesses			0
Virginia Plant Relocation [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Gain on sale of property, plant & equipment and businesses				4,335
Proceeds from sale of property, plant & equipment				6,000
Acquisitions 2018 [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Cash consideration					215,363
Amortizable intangible assets recognized					$ 44,163
Intangible assets amortization period, tax purposes					15 years
Goodwill					$ 42,325
Intangible assets, deductible for income tax purposes					7,385
Goodwill, deductible for income tax purposes					4,468
Deferred income taxes, net					$ 32,871
Acquisitions 2017 [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Amortizable intangible assets recognized						309,112
Intangible assets amortization period, tax purposes					15 years
Goodwill					$ 28,247	28,247
Goodwill, deductible for income tax purposes					28,247
Goodwill increase					$ 750
Acquisitions 2016 [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Amortizable intangible assets recognized							16,670
Immaterial Business Acquisitions [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Total consideration						48,490
Cash consideration						36,746
Consideration payable amount						1,844
Assets acquired			9,900			9,900
Arizona [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Gain on sale of property, plant & equipment and businesses			8,021
Assets divested, fair value			9,900			9,900
Assets divested, Book Value			$ 1,879			1,879
California And Virginia [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Gain on sale of property, plant & equipment and businesses				11,871
Proceeds from sale of property, plant & equipment				$ 19,185
Georgia [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Gain on sale of property, plant & equipment and businesses		$ 2,929
Contractual Rights In Place [Member] | Acquisitions 2017 [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Intangible assets amortization period, tax purposes					15 years
Contractual Rights In Place [Member] | Acquisitions 2016 [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Amortizable intangible assets recognized							15,213
Intangible assets amortization period, tax purposes					15 years
Contractual Rights In Place - Straight-Line Method [Member] | Acquisitions 2018 [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Amortizable intangible assets recognized					$ 43,072
Estimated weighted-average amortization period of intangible assets					19 years 10 months 24 days
Contractual Rights In Place - Straight-Line Method [Member] | Acquisitions 2017 [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Amortizable intangible assets recognized						73,879
Estimated weighted-average amortization period of intangible assets					19 years 3 months 18 days
Contractual Rights In Place - Straight-Line Method [Member] | Acquisitions 2016 [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Amortizable intangible assets recognized							6,798
Estimated weighted-average amortization period of intangible assets					20 years
Contractual Rights In Place - Units Of Sales [Member] | Acquisitions 2018 [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Amortizable intangible assets recognized					$ 1,080
Estimated weighted-average amortization period of intangible assets					30 years
Contractual Rights In Place - Units Of Sales [Member] | Acquisitions 2017 [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Amortizable intangible assets recognized						$ 235,133
Estimated weighted-average amortization period of intangible assets					54 years 8 months 12 days
Contractual Rights In Place - Units Of Sales [Member] | Acquisitions 2016 [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Amortizable intangible assets recognized							8,415
Estimated weighted-average amortization period of intangible assets					20 years
Noncompetition Agreements [Member] | Acquisitions 2016 [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Amortizable intangible assets recognized							$ 1,457
[1]	See Note 19 for a summary of acquisitions

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES_3

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES (Schedule of Business Acquisitions) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Significant Acquisitions And Disposals [Line Items]
Cash		$ 215,363	$ 1,072,978
Payable to seller		4,500	7,837
Total fair value of purchase consideration		219,863	1,080,815	$ 33,287
Accounts and notes receivable, net		15,402	14,955
Inventories		11,874	21,679
Other current assets		661	608
Investments			3,590
Property, plant & equipment		150,274	433,606
Contractual rights in place		44,163	295,482
Deferred income taxes, net		(32,871)
Liabilities assumed		(11,965)	(3,894)
Net identifiable assets acquired		177,538	766,026
Goodwill	[1]	43,075	27,497
Net Assets Divested Immediately Upon Acquisition			$ 287,292
Acquisitions 2018 [Member]
Significant Acquisitions And Disposals [Line Items]
Deferred income taxes, net		(32,871)
Goodwill		$ 42,325
[1]	See Note 19 for a summary of acquisitions

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES_4

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES (Comprehensive Income Actual Results) (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES [Abstract]
Total revenues	$ 162,462
Net earnings	$ 11,830

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES_5

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES (Supplemental Pro Forma Results) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES [Abstract]
Supplemental Pro Forma Results, Total revenues	$ 4,015,891	$ 3,882,257
Supplemental Pro Forma Results, Net earnings	$ 610,494	$ 433,431

UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (D

UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018		Dec. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016
UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTARY DATA [Abstract]
Total revenues	$ 1,088,047	$ 1,240,197	$ 1,200,151	$ 854,474	$ 977,490	$ 1,094,715	$ 1,030,763	$ 787,328	$ 4,382,869	[1]	$ 3,890,296	[1]	$ 3,592,667	[1]
Gross profit	275,285	343,142	323,184	159,334	241,517	303,758	290,017	158,221	1,100,945		993,513		988,885
Operating earnings	186,491	249,184	230,843	81,195	149,202	227,478	191,976	70,388	747,713		639,044		665,902
Earnings from continuing operations	124,280	179,864	160,302	53,395	327,969	110,150	111,749	43,523	517,841		593,391		422,406
Net earnings	$ 124,023	$ 179,151	$ 159,652	$ 52,979	$ 327,546	$ 108,579	$ 120,139	$ 44,921	$ 515,805		$ 601,185		$ 419,491
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations	$ 0.94	$ 1.36	$ 1.21	$ 0.40	$ 2.47	$ 0.83	$ 0.84	$ 0.33	$ 3.91		$ 4.48		$ 3.17
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations	0.93	1.34	1.20	0.40	2.43	0.82	0.83	0.32	3.87		4.40		3.11
Basic net earnings per share	0.94	1.35	1.21	0.40	2.47	0.82	0.91	0.34	3.90		4.54		3.15
Diluted net earnings per share	$ 0.93	$ 1.34	$ 1.19	$ 0.39	$ 2.43	$ 0.81	$ 0.89	$ 0.33	$ 3.85		$ 4.46		$ 3.09
[1]	The geographic markets are defined by states/countries as follows:East market - Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington D.C.Gulf Coast market - Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mexico, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and the BahamasWest market - Arizona, California and New Mexico