pa 39 begins at an intersection with north front street on the east bank of the susquehanna river in the dauphin county township of susquehanna north of harrisburg. it heads northeast as linglestown road through a densely populated neighborhood and widens from two to four lanes as it passes over norfolk southern railway's pittsburgh line and approaches an interchange with u.s. route 22 and u.s. route 322 at the northern tip of wildwood lake. east of the exit, the highway reverts to two lanes and passes through the predominantly residential northern suburbs of harrisburg. it intersects north progress avenue prior to passing into lower paxton township.