Now that the Commonwealth Avenue Improvement Project has wrapped up, Boston University students can now boast about having a little more of New England’s famous fall foliage on campus and take pride in a more beautiful classroom setting. Trees, benches and flowers now adorn most of BU’s campus, thanks to a collaborative effort between Boston University, the city and the state Department of Transportation. The result is a more beautiful and scenic campus — at least to where the improvements were made.

Prospective students visiting BU have always been taken on tours that only travel within the limits of the newly-rennovated part of campus. And while it is important for the university to demonstrate its best qualities while attracting potential Terriers, it is also necessary for everyone to see a realistic slice of BU’s campus. New students living and learning on the west end of campus may suffer buyer’s remorse after only experiencing the newly-improved East campus on a tour.

Some of the improvements seem poorly planned, though perhaps Boston’s unique geography makes a perfect construction project unattainable. The CAP extends only from Kenmore Square to just past the Boston University Bridge. Bicyclists will complain that the new bicycle lanes on the roadtop abruptly end at the BU Bridge. Students cycling in the new bike lane will suddenly find themselves sandwiched between two cars without a safety lane. Not only is this a rude surprise for any bicyclist, it is also a safety concern that continues to undermine one of the project’s primary goals.

Still, the finished product is a welcome break from two years of closed sidewalks, lengthy detours, piles of gravel and sprawled construction equipment. For some, including the current sophomore and junior classes, this was the only campus they knew. Even President Robert Brown joked at Sunday’s parents’ convocation ceremony that the construction cone should have become BU’s new logo.

In a city where Big Dig debacles and crumbling bridges seem to crop up every week, the project can be rated a success. In contrast, the Kenmore Square renovations right next door are vastly over-budget and construction has continued for as many as four years beyond the expected completion date. Students and residents consistently deal with traffic diversions, closed sidewalks, piles of debris and dangerous construction vehicles.

The Kenmore project has been the purview of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, which has become notorious for project delays and budget problems. The university, the city, and the Commonwealth worked together for the Commonwealth Avenue Improvement Project, and the result was an efficient and organized improvement to the area. While the MBTA was listed as cooperating with the CAP, it wasn’t a major participant. After all, the project finished in two years. Perhaps the MBTA can organize their efforts and BU’s newest freshmen can experience a cleaner Kenmore Square before graduation in 2012.