Benefit Plans (Details 6) (Multiemployer Plans, Pension [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Summary of each multiemployer pension plan
Vulcan Contributions	$ 6,778	$ 6,566	$ 6,727
Plan Information Available [Member] | Automobile Mechanics Local No. 701 Pension Fund [Member]
Summary of each multiemployer pension plan
EIN/Pension Plan Number	36-6042061-001
Pension Protection Act Zone Status	orange	orange
FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented	no
Vulcan Contributions	162	176	203
Surcharge Imposed	no
Expiration Date of CBAs	May 31, 2013
Plan Information Available [Member] | Central Pension Fund of the IUOE and Participating Employers [Member]
Summary of each multiemployer pension plan
EIN/Pension Plan Number	36-6052390-001
Pension Protection Act Zone Status	green	green
FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented	no
Vulcan Contributions	408	494	436
Surcharge Imposed	no
Expiration Range of CBAs, First	Jan. 31, 2012
Expiration Range of CBAs, Last	Jan. 31, 2013
Plan Information Available [Member] | Central States Southeast and Southwest Areas Pension Plan [Member]
Summary of each multiemployer pension plan
EIN/Pension Plan Number	36-6044243-001
Pension Protection Act Zone Status	red	red
FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented	no
Vulcan Contributions	276	267	213
Surcharge Imposed	no
Expiration Range of CBAs, First	May 30, 2012
Expiration Range of CBAs, Last	Jun. 30, 2014
Plan Information Available [Member] | IAM National Pension Fund [Member]
Summary of each multiemployer pension plan
EIN/Pension Plan Number	51-6031295-002
Pension Protection Act Zone Status	green	green
FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented	no
Vulcan Contributions	52	49	62
Surcharge Imposed	no
Expiration Date of CBAs	Mar. 31, 2014
Plan Information Available [Member] | Laborers Trust Funds for Northern California [Member]
Summary of each multiemployer pension plan
EIN/Pension Plan Number	94-6277608-001
Pension Protection Act Zone Status	yellow	yellow
FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented	yes
Vulcan Contributions	177	176	181
Surcharge Imposed	no
Expiration Date of CBAs	Jul. 15, 2013
Plan Information Available [Member] | LIUNA National Industrial Pension Fund [Member]
Summary of each multiemployer pension plan
EIN/Pension Plan Number	52-6074345-001
Pension Protection Act Zone Status	red	red
FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented	yes
Vulcan Contributions	840	825	801
Surcharge Imposed	no
Expiration Range of CBAs, First	Sep. 30, 2012
Expiration Range of CBAs, Last	Jul. 31, 2014
Plan Information Available [Member] | Local 786 Building Material Pension Trust [Member]
Summary of each multiemployer pension plan
EIN/Pension Plan Number	51-6067400-001
Pension Protection Act Zone Status	green	green
FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented	no
Vulcan Contributions	166	181	169
Surcharge Imposed	no
Expiration Date of CBAs	Apr. 30, 2014
Plan Information Available [Member] | Midwest Operating Engineers Pension Trust Fund [Member]
Summary of each multiemployer pension plan
EIN/Pension Plan Number	36-6140097-001
Pension Protection Act Zone Status	green	green
FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented	no
Vulcan Contributions	1,543	1,566	1,553
Surcharge Imposed	no
Expiration Range of CBAs, First	Sep. 30, 2011
Expiration Range of CBAs, Last	Apr. 30, 2014
Plan Information Available [Member] | Operating Engineers Trust Funds - Local 3 [Member]
Summary of each multiemployer pension plan
EIN/Pension Plan Number	94-6090764-001
Pension Protection Act Zone Status	orange	orange
FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented	yes
Vulcan Contributions	1,737	1,576	1,641
Surcharge Imposed	no
Expiration Range of CBAs, First	Jul. 15, 2013
Expiration Range of CBAs, Last	Sep. 17, 2013
Plan Information Available [Member] | Operating Engineers Pension Trust Funds - Local 12 [Member]
Summary of each multiemployer pension plan
EIN/Pension Plan Number	95-6032478-001
Pension Protection Act Zone Status	red	red
FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented	yes
Vulcan Contributions	313	243	292
Surcharge Imposed	no
Expiration Date of CBAs	Sep. 30, 2015
Plan Information Available [Member] | Suburban Teamsters of Northern Illinois Pension Plan [Member]
Summary of each multiemployer pension plan
EIN/Pension Plan Number	36-6155778-001
Pension Protection Act Zone Status	red	red
FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented	yes
Vulcan Contributions	198	195	198
Surcharge Imposed	no
Expiration Date of CBAs	Apr. 30, 2013
Plan Information Available [Member] | Teamsters Union No 142 Pension Trust Fund [Member]
Summary of each multiemployer pension plan
EIN/Pension Plan Number	51-6051034-001
Pension Protection Act Zone Status	green	green
FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented	no
Vulcan Contributions	24	54	49
Surcharge Imposed	no
Expiration Date of CBAs	Jan. 31, 2013
Plan Information Available [Member] | Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust Fund [Member]
Summary of each multiemployer pension plan
EIN/Pension Plan Number	91-6145047-001
Pension Protection Act Zone Status	green	green
FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented	no
Vulcan Contributions	$ 882	$ 764	$ 929
Surcharge Imposed	no
Expiration Range of CBAs, First	Jan. 15, 2012
Expiration Range of CBAs, Last	Sep. 30, 2014