Plum Island: The High-Security Island Where the Only Road Trip is to the Decontamination Chamber

Plum Island is a small, restricted island located in the Long Island Sound, just off the coast of New York State. The island features an extensive network of accessible roads, but its highly sensitive purpose—housing a federal animal disease research center—means public access is absolutely prohibited, making it one of the most securely restricted pieces of infrastructure in the United States.

Plum Island lies in Suffolk County, New York, situated near the terminus of Long Island's North Fork. It is federally owned and falls under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA).

History: Military Base to Bio-Security Fortress

The island's history is one of continuous governmental restriction:

Fort Terry: From 1897 through World War II, the island was home to Fort Terry, a large U.S. military installation. The existing paved and service roads were originally built to service the fort's gun batteries and personnel.
PIADC: Since 1954, the island has housed the Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC), a high-containment national research laboratory that studies contagious and often lethal animal diseases, such as Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) and African Swine Fever (ASF).

The Roads: Paved but Absolutely Forbidden

The island has a verifiable network of internal roads and tracks connecting the historic buildings, labs, and utility areas.

Confirmed Infrastructure: Satellite imagery clearly shows paved and maintained service roads crisscrossing the island, essential for transporting supplies, staff, and sensitive samples.
The Restriction: The access ban is absolute. No unauthorized personnel, no private vehicles, no public tours, and no boats are allowed to land. This prohibition is strictly enforced by federal law enforcement and security personnel.

The Ultimate Restriction: Bio-Containment and Security

The restriction on Plum Island's roads is not due to a physical danger like UXO or lava, but a biological hazard and national security mandate.

Mandatory Security/Decontamination: Every movement on and off the island is rigidly controlled. Staff traveling from the labs must follow intense decontamination procedures to prevent any pathogen from leaving the high-security facility.
The "Escort" / Rule: Any approved visitor or contractor movement is supervised and controlled, effectively requiring a security escort. Furthermore, the island requires a dedicated ferry system, which is part of the controlled access apparatus.
The Hook: The primary danger is not visible on the road, but microscopic. This makes the restriction permanent and non-negotiable—a road network existing solely within a top-tier quarantine zone.