Name:	us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsAndDisposalGroupsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Payments for the transaction bonus to certain key Chemicals employees based on prior year's 5CP earn-out results.

No definition available.

Name:	vmc_CashTransactionBonusPayable
Namespace Prefix:	vmc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Cumulative cash received from Basic Chemicals under the ECU earn-out agreement included in discontinued operations.

No definition available.

Name:	vmc_CumulativeCashReceiptsReceivedUnderEarnOut
Namespace Prefix:	vmc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

The amount received from Basic Chemicals in excess of the receivable recorded on the date of disposition.

No definition available.

Name:	vmc_ExcessCashReceivedUnderEarnOut
Namespace Prefix:	vmc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The number of earn out agreements under which Basic Chemicals is required to make payments to the company.

No definition available.

Name:	vmc_NumberOfEarnOutAgreements
Namespace Prefix:	vmc_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Payments received from Basic Chemicals under the 5CP earn-out agreement included in discontinued operations.

No definition available.

Name:	vmc_PaymentReceivedUnderEarnOut
Namespace Prefix:	vmc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	99 Months Ended
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2007 agreement	Sep. 30, 2013
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS [Abstract]
Number of earn-out agreements						2
Cumulative cash receipts received under ECU earn-out						$ 150,000,000
Payments received under 5CP earn-out	13,031,000	33,000	11,336,000				79,391,000
Excess cash received under 5CP earn-out							46,290,000
Cash transaction bonus payable				$ 1,303,000	$ 1,137,000