Estimated Payments (Undiscounted) Under Our Self-Insurance Program (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012
Estimated Payments under Self-insurance Program
2013	$ 21,920
2014	12,910
2015	8,752
2016	5,547
2017	$ 3,700

Estimated payments under self insurance program year three.

No definition available.

Name:	vmc_EstimatedPaymentsUnderSelfInsuranceProgramYearThree
Namespace Prefix:	vmc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant