not sure how truthful this story is. i looked at the pictures. those structures were nicely done and not tacky at all. also, if those structures are for a commercial center, as a stopover area for long distance traveling, i don't see the problem and i would say:"yes, it is great idea!"
of course, now the 湖南懷新高速公路管理處 has the structures, location, it would need a marketing strategy to make people open their wallets. that is the hard part of the game.